Udupi to have an airport soon

MANIPAL: Udupi will have an airport soon and the preliminary arrangements like land acquisition and other works are reported to be underway for the purpose. The proposed airport will be built under PPP (public-private partnership) scheme with the government partnering with Manipal University.
The airport would be located about 20 km away from Manipal and Udupi.According to sources from both Udupi district administration and Manipal University, the national airport authority has given the initial go-ahead and the Manipal Group had almost acquired land over 300 acres for the purpose in Sasthan GP, Saligrama Town Panchayat and Barkur Panchyath.
Home minister V S Acharya in Mangalore on Wednesday said that state government would extend all support for Udupi airport and land acquisition is in progress.
Manipal University sources further added that though they are for a full- fledged airport in Udupi, the feasibility study is still not completed. They fear that operation of flights would be limited in the initial years which may hamper their business returns. However, the businessmen and industrialists of Udupi argue for the need of an airport. They feel it would help an overall comprehensive development of the district and give a new face to tourism related industries in the district. The state government is also reported to be thinking on the same lines.