Bengaluru second airport: Tender floated for feasibility, strategy report, says Minister Patil
Bengaluru, Mar 20 (PTI): Karnataka Infrastructure Minister M B Patil on Friday said that the government has floated a tender to prepare a detailed feasibility and strategy report for a proposed second international airport near Bengaluru.
He said officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have conducted site inspections of three shortlisted locations on the city's outskirts and have flagged several aspects, including challenges associated with these sites.
Taking to social media platform 'X', the minister said that a tender has been floated to prepare a detailed strategy and feasibility report. Three to four firms have participated in the bidding process, which is expected to be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Further decisions will be taken based on the reports submitted by these firms, he added.
"After selecting three sites, we called the AAI, and their officials visited all three locations. They pointed out the challenges at each site. To overcome and address those issues, we have called for a tender," he told reporters here.
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The state government had shortlisted three locations -- two on Kanakapura Road near Harohalli and one on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala.
"Once the report comes, including details on the challenges, we will move forward. Then we have to examine the viability of the project. This exercise is mainly to address the challenges at those sites -- such as hilly terrain and other issues that may be difficult to handle," Patil said.
Though viability is a smaller part of this stage, the minister said that ultimately, once that process is complete, the state cabinet will take a decision.
"So it is not at a final stage yet; it is still in process and will take time. The feasibility and related studies may take another three to four months or possibly more," he added.
According to him, the proposed new airport is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the rapidly growing air traffic demand in Bengaluru and in safeguarding Karnataka's long-term aviation and economic interests.
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West Asia conflict: Six Indians lost their lives in 'various incidents', says MEA
New Delhi (PTI): Amid the escalating West Asia conflict, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday said six Indian nationals have lost their lives while one remains missing in "various incidents".
At an inter-ministerial briefing here, Additional Secretary (Gulf), MEA, Aseem R Mahajan, also said, "Late yesterday night, we received information regarding the tragic demise of an Indian national, during an attack in Riyadh on March 18." He, however, did not elaborate upon the circumstances of this death.
"We express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased. Our Mission in Riyadh is in touch with the family and closely co-ordinating with local authorities for the early return of the mortal remains to India," he said.
On Friday, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh also said that an Indian national was killed in Saudi Arabia due to the “recent events of March 18”.
In a social media post, the Indian Mission expressed its “deepest condolences on the tragic demise of an Indian national in Riyadh due to recent events on March 18".
A day earlier, the Indian embassy said alerts were received by residents in Riyadh and some other regions on Wednesday. “The Indian community is advised to remain calm and composed,” the embassy said.
Mahajan also told reporters in Delhi that "six Indian nationals have lost their lives and one is missing in various incidents".
"Our missions in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iraq, and the UAE are in regular touch with the concerned authorities regarding the missing Indian national and for the early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased Indian nationals to India," he said.
Less than a week ago, the MEA official had told reporters in an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation that five Indian nationals had lost their lives while one is missing in various incidents.
The West Asia conflict began on February 28 when the US-Israel combine launched military strikes on Iran. In retaliation, Tehran has targeted Gulf countries hosting US military bases.
Energy and other civilian infrastructure in the Gulf region have also come under attack during this conflict that has stretched into three weeks, with no end to it in sight.
Since February 28, around three lakh passengers have returned from the region to India, Mahajan said.
