Vijayapura airport awaits SC verdict for take-off

Vijayapura: Infrastructure development minister M B Patil has said hearings in environment-related cases, including the Vijayapura airport project, have concluded in the Supreme Court, with the verdict being awaited. He expressed confidence that flight operations would begin immediately once a favourable order is delivered.Patil said the airport construction is complete and an application has been submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for operational clearance. He added that he personally met Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu and environment minister Bhupender Yadav to seek necessary approvals.The minister noted that when the project began in 2021-22, environmental clearance from the Union govt had not been obtained. The process to secure approvals started only after the current state govt assumed office. Meanwhile, Chennai-based Vanashakti moved the apex court seeking a halt to projects launched without prior environmental clearance.After hearing the petition, the court ordered a halt, and cancellation of such projects. Though the Vijayapura airport was not directly named, the Centre's environment ministry later denied clearance citing the ruling.Patil said a strong legal team, including Kapil Sibal, Devatta Kamat, solicitor general Tushar Mehta and additional advocate general Nishant Patil, argued the case. The court later agreed to review its earlier order and heard stakeholders from similar projects nationwide. The verdict is now reserved.Patil said the state has released an additional Rs 220 crore for the project, including funds for approach roads, fire safety infrastructure and night landing systems. The airport is now equipped to handle large aircraft.He added that two rounds of talks have been held with airline operators to begin services linking Vijayapura with Bengaluru and other cities. Airlines have responded positively. Once operational, the airport is expected to boost connectivity across Kittur Karnataka region.