First passenger flight lands in Shivamogga
The Hindu
Office-bearers of Shivamogga Chamber of Commerce and Industries, including its president N. Gopinath, travelled by the flight.
The first passenger flight to Shivamogga landed in Kuvempu airport around 10.45 a.m. on August 31. The airport’s management greeted the aircraft, which arrived from Bengaluru, with a water salute. This flight marked the commencement of operations six months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport.
Former chief minister B.S. Yediyurappa, Minister for Infrastructure Development M.B. Patil, Shivamogga Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra, legislators of Shivamogga, various Congress and BJP office-bearers, were among the passengers on board the maiden flight.
Mr. Yediyurappa said the airport had been a dream of the people of Shivamogga. It had been fulfilled as Prime Minister Narendra Modi took special interest in the project. He praised his son, Lok Sabha member B.Y. Raghavendra, for his efforts in completing the work and launching flight operations.
“I am hopeful that the number of flights operating from the airport will increase soon, and it will be developed into an international airport in a few years. With this, I wish to tell the public of Shivamogga that we have fulfilled all your wishes,” he said.
M.B. Patil said that his department would maintain the airport. Earlier, maintenance was delegated to Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We have decided to manage the airport in Shivamogga, along with the upcoming airports in Vijayapura, Ballari and Raichur. We have a fresh approach to airport maintenance,” he said.
Minister for School Education and Literacy Madhu Bangarappa lauded the efforts of Mr. Yediyurappa in bringing the project for Shivamogga. He promised to bring in investment to the district and increase the number of flights operating from the airport.
Mr. Yediyurappa felicitated M.B. Krishnappa and Govindaraj who represented the farmers of Sogane and other villages who parted with their land for the project.