Mysuru airport's expansion is delayed because of a lag in the land acquisition procedure. The farmers are interested in striking a deal with the government.

Besides the construction of a subway perpendicular to the runway alignment in addition to extending the terminal building, the expansion includes the extension of the runway Currently, the runway length is 1740 m, and breadth is 30 m, suitable for running an ATR-72 type of aircraft.

The proposal would increase the runaway length to 2750 m and breadth 45 m. So, it would help in operating bigger planes and enable direct long-distance flights from the city.

Airports Authority of India's (AAI) officials informed that the immediate land needed to begin the project is around 115 acres. However, to complete the entire project, overall 187 acres of land is required.

The officials revealed that the government has to do the land acquisition work. Even though the farmers are ready to settle for the current market rate, there is no progress. Due to the focus on fighting the pandemic and expenditure in the health industry, the work has been delayed.

On the other hand, farmers of Mandakalli and nearby areas close to the project location have reached out to the airport officials to know about the situation of the airport work.

The stakeholders in the industrial sector are also eager that the runway extension starts at the earliest because there is now an offer in front of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to widen the Mysuru-Nanjangud highway from four lanes to six lanes.

The subway construction received approval by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) after a ground study completion by technical experts.

The subway is entailed to take up the runway extension, which bisects the current Mysuru-Nanjangud highway, diverting which would be restrictive and unfeasible in terms of price.

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Also read: Ministry of Aviation plans large scale expansion by 2025