Second airport for Bengaluru after technical advice from AAI: Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, presenting the state Budget for 2026-27 on Friday, said that a second airport will be developed for Bengaluru, aimed at decongesting the city's Kempegowda International Airport.
He said the feasibility report will be prepared after obtaining technical advice from the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
"To decongest Kempegowda International Airport, which has emerged as the country's third largest airport, a second airport will be developed in Bengaluru for which a feasibility report will be prepared after obtaining technical advice from the Airports Authority of India," Siddaramaiah said.
The AAI officials have already visited the three shortlisted sites for Bengaluru's second international airport.
The state government had shortlisted three locations -- two on Kanakapura Road near Harohalli and one on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala.
The CM also announced that the government has released Rs 1,593 crore of grants for development of seven domestic airports in the state so far. "For the current year, Rs 200 crore has been earmarked."
Flight training school and manufacturing or assembly of aircraft activities in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode will be undertaken on the premises of Vijayapura and Shivamogga Airports respectively, he added.
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Surjewala slams Pratap Simha’s ‘vile’ remarks on CM Siddaramaiah, demands apology from BJP
Bengaluru (PTI): Congress general secretary and Karnataka in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday launched a sharp attack on the BJP over alleged disparaging remarks made by former Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during an assembly bypoll campaign in Bagalkote.
Simha made the remarks while campaigning for BJP candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath, triggering a political row ahead of the by-elections scheduled for April 9.
Congress has fielded Umesh Meti, son of former MLA late M Y Meti, whose death necessitated the bye-election.
"Pratap Simha's vile remarks about Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Bagalkot have exposed the BJP's despicable politics once again," Surjewala said in a social media post.
Alleging a larger political design, he added, "It is increasingly evident that Pratap Simha’s outburst is driven by desperation," and accused the BJP of using such remarks to target backward classes, Scheduled Castes, and minorities.
The Rajya Sabha member further claimed that the incident reflects a pattern within the party. "This is not one man's madness—it is the BJP’s political culture," he said, adding that the remarks were aimed at "denigrating leaders from marginalised communities".
Referring to past incidents, Surjewala said, "CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar have received death threats in the past, including one from BJP leaders who warned that their bodies would be stuffed into a refrigerator."
The Congress leader also criticised the BJP’s bypoll campaign strategy, alleging "internal contradictions".
He pointed to the party’s use of expelled MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal in campaigning despite earlier disciplinary action against him, accusing the BJP of resorting to "abuses and indignities" against opposition leaders.
Surjewala demanded immediate action from the BJP leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP national president Nitin Nabin, state president B Y Vijayendra, and Leader of Opposition R Ashoka.
He said they must tender a public apology to Kannadigas, particularly to OBCs, SCs, and minorities, over the remarks, and urged the party to expel Simha if it does not repudiate his statements.
Surjewala also called for legal action, demanding that an FIR be registered against Simha and that strict measures be taken.
Warning of "political consequences", he said the electorate in the bypoll-bound constituencies would respond decisively if the BJP failed to apologise, asserting that voters would "teach the BJP a befitting lesson" in the elections.
There has been no immediate reaction from the saffron party yet.
