Shivamogga airport to start operations tomorrow; IndiGo flight to be first
Bengaluru, Aug 30: Flight operations at Shivamogga airport in Karnataka would begin on Thursday, according to Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil.
The first flight (Indigo) will depart from here at 9.50 am and reach Shivamogga at 11.05 am, he said on Tuesday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shivamogga airport on February 27, coinciding with the 80th birthday of Karnataka BJP strongman B S Yediyurappa.
Shivamogga is the home district of Yediyurappa, a four-time Chief Minister.
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The new airport has been developed at a cost of around Rs 450 crore. The passenger terminal building of the airport can handle 300 passengers per hour, officials said.
The airport is expected to improve connectivity and accessibility from Shivamogga and other neighbouring areas in the Malnad region of Karnataka, they said.
Patil, who is also the Large and Medium Industries Minister, said he would travel in the first flight to Shivamogga with Shivamogga district in-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa, Yediyurappa and Shivamogga Lok Sabha member B Y Raghavendra, among others.
"Tickets have been booked for the next three weeks in advance. There is good demand", he said.
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IPL 2026 to be held between March 26-May 31 window
Mumbai (PTI): The upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League will be held between the March 26 to May 31 window but it remains to be seen if Bengaluru, the home of RCB, holds the opening match.
As per the norms, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium should host the tournament opener given the home side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the IPL 2025 title.
While the venue has received conditional clearance from the Karnataka state government, it also needs to meet the necessary safety and security standards following the death of 11 fans in a stampede during RCB's victory celebrations in June this year.
The mini-auction for IPL 2026 will be held in Abu Dhabi today with three-time winners Kolkata Knight Riders coming in with the biggest purse.
