The emphasis on improving air connectivity across India will get yet another boost as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Shivamogga Airport today (27th February).
The greenfield airport is located at Sogane around 12km from Shivamogga. The airport will improve connectivity and accessibility of Shivamogga and other neighboring areas.
Developed at a cost of ₹450 Crores, the passenger terminal can handle 300 passengers per hour. The runway length is 3,200m making it the second-longest runway in Karnataka.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will undertake a walk-through and inspect the airport. At around 11:45 AM, the brand new airport at Shivamogga will be dedicated to the nation.
The foundation stone for the construction of the airport was laid by the former Chief Minister of Karnataka B S Yediyurappa on 20th June 2008. The project didn’t move forward as projected.
On 15th June 2020, CM B S Yediyurappa relaunched the long-pending airport project in Shivamogga. The airport has been built as a part of the Udan scheme.
The airport is well equipped to handle narrow-body aircraft like Airbus A320 and Boeing 737. An IAF Boeing 737 had landed at the airport on February 21st as part of the trials.