Over 30 legislators pitch for second international airport in Sira taluk

BENGALURU: A group of over 30 legislators, cutting across party lines, have expressed opposition to setting up the second international airport near Harohalli in Kanakapura taluk or near Nelamangala.

Under the leadership of Karnataka’s representative in New Delhi, T B Jayachandra, the legislators from central and North Karnataka have written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah advocating for the airport in Sira taluk of Tumakuru district.

A central team visited the proposed locations in Karnataka.

Making a case for the second international airport in Sira taluk, the legislators argued that it would serve the central region and also north Karnataka. They pointed out that Sira is on the Chennai-Bengaluru expressway and is home to the HAL helicopter plant, the industrial township at Vasantha Narasapura, the Japanese township and international cricket stadium that are coming up.

The central team had also met Industries Minister M B Patil.

The legislators, in their letter, also pointed out that Sira taluk has the Upper Bhadra canal, the Hemavathi irrigation project, the upcoming railway line from Tumakuru to Rayadurga which will pass through Sira. They also argued that having the airport at Sira would bring down traffic density in Bengaluru by half.