Two sites shortlisted for B'luru's 2nd airport, AAI will be intimated before Feb 17: Min. MB Patil
Bengaluru, Feb 8 (PTI): Two sites have been shortlisted for Bengaluru's proposed second airport, and the proposal will be sent to the Airport Authority of India before February 17, Karnataka Infrastructure Minister M B Patil said on Saturday.
Indicating that two proposals may be sent to the AAI, the Minister made it clear that the site selection will be based on "merit" and will not be a political decision.
According to reports the state government is said to have zeroed in on Nelamangala and Kanakapura Road as the possible sites for Bengaluru's second airport.
"No confusion regarding the second airport, we have shortlisted two among four sites and had one round of briefing regarding it to the Chief Minister. We will have another round of briefing to the Chief Minister and if possible, either before the Global Investors Meet or one or two days after that, we will send the proposal to the Airport Authority of India," Patil said.
Speaking to reporters here, he said, there is no need for any confusion as he is personally monitoring it.
"The site for the airport will be chosen based on merit, keeping in mind the interest of the state, its people, the city of Bengaluru, and businesses here. It won't be a political decision," he added.
Stating that the proposal regarding the second airport will be sent to the Airport Authority of India, probably before February 17, and it will be made public, Patil said, "We may send one or two proposals. Airport Authority of India will then screen it and will inform us which place is suitable, there are processes for it."
"In case the AAI okays both the sites, we (state government) will have to choose one of them, keeping the interest of the state in mind. We may give land, but investors will also have to come for it, and they will look for viability. All this will be considered," he said, adding that land has to be provided by the state government, and it may cost Rs 10,000 crore.
Noting the exclusivity clause or preference clause of the Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli will end by 2033, and that airport's capacity of hundred million passengers will be achieved by 2030, the Minister said, "with a good intention we have started early preparations. If we start now, it will need seven to eight years."
Not wanting to reveal the two sites shortlisted, in response to a question, he said, "Parameshwara (Home Minister) may be seeking for the second airport to come up towards Tumakuru side, others may suggest for other places, it is their right, but when we decide, it will be based on merit."
Pointing out that there are several parameters for any airport to come up and all of them will be taken into account, Patil further said that once the site is chosen, the yardsticks based on which the decision was made will be clearly and transparently stated in public.
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LoP Ashoka accuses Karnataka govt of 'diverting' SC/ST funds for guarantees
Bengaluru (PTI): Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashoka, on Tuesday accused the state government of "diverting funds" meant for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes under the SCSP and TSP components to finance its guarantee schemes. He also alleged that the budget presented by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has undermined the principle of social justice.
During the discussion on the 2026–27 state budget in the assembly, the BJP leader claimed that substantial portions of funds earmarked for Dalit welfare had been diverted for other schemes over the past four years.
He also questioned the implementation of allocations under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCSP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP), saying the government has "failed" to ensure that the money actually reached the intended communities.
“Today, the money here has been diverted. In this diversion of funds, social justice has been ignored. If the money meant for Dalits is looted, can that be called social justice?” he asked while criticising the government’s handling of SC/ST allocations.
According to the opposition leader, around Rs 14,198 crore had been diverted in the current financial year alone from SCSP and TSP allocations to various guarantee schemes announced by the government.
Listing the expenditure under these programmes, the former Deputy CM said Rs 8,296.32 crore had been allocated for the Gruha Lakshmi scheme, Rs 1,537 crore for Shakti, Rs 1,612 crore for Anna Bhagya, Rs 2,591.6 crore for Gruha Jyothi and Rs 1,062 crore for Yuva Nidhi.
“In total, Rs 14,198 crore has been diverted this year,” he said.
He further claimed that the diversion of funds had increased over the years.
“In 2023–24, Rs 11,144 crore was taken from SC/ST funds. In 2024–25, Rs 14,282.68 crore was taken. In 2025–26, Rs 13,343.84 crore was taken. In 2026–27, Rs 14,198.97 crore has been taken.”
“This amount keeps increasing year after year. In total, Rs 53,059.45 crore belonging to SC/ST communities has been taken during Siddaramaiah’s tenure,” he added.
Ashoka said that although the budget documents projected large allocations for Dalit welfare, the actual funds reaching the beneficiaries were significantly lower.
The government had earmarked Rs 44,632 crore for SC/ST communities in 2026–27, but once the diversion towards guarantee schemes was removed, the effective amount available was much less, he added.
The BJP leader also referred to a review meeting on January 31 to examine the utilisation of SCSP and TSP funds.
As per the review, Ashoka said only a part of the sanctioned amount had actually been released and spent.
“For SCSP, Rs 29,872 crore was allocated, but by January 27, only Rs 16,699 crore had been released, and the expenditure was Rs 15,391 crore."
Similarly, under the Tribal Sub-Plan, he alleged that Rs 11,900 crore had been allocated, but only Rs 6,521 crore was released and Rs 6,002 crore spent by the end of January.
“Even after eleven months, only about 50 per cent of the funds were released by the Finance department.”
Ashoka also criticised the allocation of SC/ST funds to departments and schemes that he said had little direct relevance to the welfare of those communities.
These included wildlife conservation programmes in the forest department, the tiger conservation project, maintenance of hospital buildings, and IT policy formulation.
“How are Dalits related to wildlife conservation? Are there SC tigers and ST elephants? How can funds meant for Dalits be used for tiger conservation?” he asked.
He also objected to funds being allocated from SC/ST components to institutions such as the Sanjay Gandhi Trauma and Orthopaedic Institute in Bengaluru and for Public Works Department buildings.
The opposition leader also charged that the government hiked taxes and prices of various commodities and services ranging from milk to petrol, vehicles, drinking water, sewerage cess, electricity, metro rail and bus fare, school and college fees, property taxes in Bengaluru, property e-Khata fee, A-Khata conversion, exam fee and birth and death certificate issuance.
“People are being taxed for digging cellar. The mines and geology department has issued notices to people. This is unheard of for me,” Ashoka said.
