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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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
