Renewed push for reopening Bengaluru’s HAL Airport for commercial flights
Bengaluru: A high level stakeholders' meeting was held on April 15 in New Delhi to discuss restarting commercial operations at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in Bengaluru. The meeting was convened in the light of increasing air traffic congestion and long travel times to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), revolved around obtaining regulatory approvals and operational frameworks.
The HAL Airport which was the city's major air traffic hub up to 2008, was closed to civilian flights after the opening of KIA. Since then, it has continued to operate for military, VVIP, and private charter services. With two-hour road travel to KIA on many occasions because of bottlenecks at the Hebbal interchange and the Metro link being over two years from completion, there is renewed focus on strategic benefits of reviving the centrally located HAL plant.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who is pushing for its revival, has confirmed that both Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have shown interest, though their stands are different. AAI is said to be keen to handle operations itself, whereas BIAL has cited a no-compete clause in its concession arrangement. With this difference unresolved, the Civil Aviation Secretary has asked for further consultations to work out possible arrangements.
The airport infrastructure remains largely intact with a runway, measuring 3,306 metres and equipped with a Category I Instrument Landing System, is capable of handling wide-body aircraft including Boeing 747s. In its last year of commercial service, HAL Airport had an annual passenger handling capacity of 10 million. Thirty parking bays, two helipads, and other support infrastructure continue to be in use for existing non-commercial flight operations.
Sources indicate that AAI has drawn up a master plan for reviving commercial services. This includes upgrades to the terminal building and provision for a multi-level parking facility for around 500 vehicles. However, a government notification issued in April 2024, formalising the extension of BIAL’s concession agreement till 2063, did not reference a clause discussed earlier that would have allowed BIAL to also operate HAL for limited civilian use.
Even so, HAL has reportedly remained in conversation with both the Union Government and BIAL to explore mutually agreeable terms under which the airport can resume partial commercial operations. A phased reopening, suggested by aviation analysts, is being considered. The proposal includes allowing select short-haul flights, especially during off-peak hours. This could include late-night flights to major metros and regional connections to destinations such as Hubballi. Former HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar said that the airport could be made flight-ready within weeks, should the required approvals be issued.
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'The Ba**ds of Bollywood’ mirrors my life, damages my reputation: Sameer Wankhede tells Delhi HC
New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has submitted his reply to the Delhi High Court in the defamation case he filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan. The case pertains to the recently released series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which Wankhede claims has defamed him.
In his statement to the court, Wankhede asserted that the show’s portrayal of a police officer is clearly based on him and has caused serious harm to his public image. He cited four key reasons supporting his claim.
First, he said the character in question bears physical similarities to him, including facial and body features. Second, he noted that the character’s working style and mannerisms closely resemble his own.
Third, Wankhede highlighted that the officer in the show is depicted making a high-profile arrest involving a major film personality, which he said directly mirrors his own involvement in the Aryan Khan drug case.
Fourth, he pointed out that the character frequently uses the phrase “Satyameva Jayate,” a motto he himself had used during media interactions in the course of that investigation. He argued that using the national motto in such a context cannot be dismissed as creative expression or humour.
Wankhede also referred to an interview in which Aryan Khan allegedly admitted that the show was “inspired by some real events.” This, he said, contradicts Red Chillies Entertainment’s claim that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is purely fictional.
He further alleged that the tone and intent of the series indicate personal and institutional vendetta, aimed at discrediting and defaming him rather than engaging in artistic storytelling.
Wankhede informed the court that the fallout from the show has affected his family, with his wife and sister receiving abusive and vulgar messages online.
Rejecting Red Chillies’ argument that he is a “thin-skinned” officer, Wankhede said that a public servant cannot be expected to tolerate false and damaging portrayals simply because of his position. He emphasized that his legal action seeks to protect the constitutional rights and dignity of both himself and his family.
