Tenders invited to conduct feasibility study for second airport for Bengaluru: Minister
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation has invited tenders to select an expert consultancy firm to prepare a location suitability and comprehensive technical and financial feasibility report for the proposed second international airport for the State capital.
The last date for submission of applications is January 12, 2026, Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil said on Saturday.
According to a statement issued by the minister's office, Patil said the state government has identified sites at Choodahalli and Somanahalli on Kanakapura Road, along with another location near Nelamangala, for the proposed airport.
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A high-level team from the Airports Authority of India has inspected these locations and submitted a preliminary report, he said.
"The consultancy firm selected through the tender process will be required to submit a detailed technical and financial feasibility report to the Government within five months," he added.
The minister said that firms that have executed projects worth at least Rs 250 crore annually over the past five years, and have handled or prepared consultancy reports for a minimum of five projects in the relevant sector, will be eligible to participate in the tender.
"The selected consultancy firm will study parameters such as rainfall patterns, topography, availability of power, water supply, sewerage and waste management infrastructure, surrounding population, regional development, and noise pollution likely to arise from airport operations at all three identified locations," he said.
Patil noted that the feasibility report must also include details of the estimated cost of developing the proposed airport, the extent of land required, and approvals to be obtained from various authorities, including the Ministry of Defence and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The report will also assess the impact of a new airport on industries, tourism and public mobility in the region, he said.
Patil said that the consultancy firm will further examine existing connectivity to the proposed sites and the infrastructure that would need to be developed after the airport is constructed. In addition, cargo handling and passenger services, along with their economic viability, will be studied.
Based on a comprehensive assessment of all three locations, the firm will submit its recommendation on the most suitable site for the second airport, he explained.
Patil said Kempegowda International Airport currently ranks second in the country in terms of passenger density. By 2033, the State will require another airport, and efforts have therefore been initiated well in advance with a forward-looking approach.
Once the feasibility report is received, the Government will decide on the next course of action, he added.
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Akhlaq lynching case: Brinda Karat seeks President's intervention in UP govt's move to drop charges
New Delhi (PTI): Senior CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat on Saturday wrote to President Droupadi Murmu, demanding her intervention in the Uttar Pradesh government's move to withdraw charges against the accused in the 2015 mob lynching of Mohammad Akhlaq.
In a letter to the President, Karat called it a "politically motivated" step by the government, and also questioned the role of the governor.
"I write to draw your urgent attention to the role of the Uttar Pradesh governor in the matter of the mob lynching case of Md Akhlaq, which occurred in September 2015. The governor has given written permission to the UP government to go ahead in its wholly illegal and unjust attempt to subvert the processes of justice and to withdraw the entire case even though the main witness has already given evidence," Karat said.
She said the government has filed an affidavit in the Greater Noida district court to withdraw the case, with the governor's permission.
"I regret that I am forced to write to you on this matter, but since the governor has been appointed by you and is answerable to you, I felt it in the interests of justice to inform you of the facts and to request your urgent intervention," she said.
On September 28, 2015, a mob gathered outside Akhlaq's house in Uttar Pradesh's Bisahada village after an alleged announcement from a village temple claiming that he had slaughtered a cow. He, along with his son Daanish, was dragged out of their home and assaulted, leading to Akhlaq's death.
"Even today, Danish has not fully recovered and carries the impact of the grievous wounds inflicted on him," Karat said.
The CPI(M) leader said the daughter of the victim gave evidence and named and identified all the accused.
"In other words, evidence against the accused has been presented and recorded in the court. The case is going on, and two other direct witnesses are to give their statements," she said.
"At such a time, the UP government has taken a decision to withdraw the case on utterly indefensible grounds, such as lathis were used, not guns, there was no personal animosity with the victim, continuing the case will lead to communal disharmony and so on," the letter read.
Karat alleged that the case has been delayed by the prosecution -- by not giving notice to the witnesses to appear -- and now the delay has been cited as the grounds to withdraw the case.
"This is motivated not to meet the ends of justice but to subvert the entire judicial process," she said.
Calling it a "politically motivated" step by the Uttar Pradesh government, she questioned, "Should the governor not counsel the government against such a step? Is it not the duty of the governor to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law?"
"If such a case is withdrawn, what will be left of the processes of justice? Will this not then apply to all cases of mob lynching that lathis were used, not guns, that there is no personal animosity, that harmony requires that such cases be withdrawn?" she asked.
Karat expressed hope that the President would intervene and direct the governor to withdraw the permission given.
"The matter is urgent as the government affidavit approved by the governor, which was to be discussed in the court yesterday (December 12) was postponed on the request of the prosecution," she added.
The Uttar Pradesh government has moved to withdraw charges against all those accused in the 2015 mob lynching in Greater Noida's Dadri, a case that had sparked nationwide outrage.
