Re-opening HAL airport: HC leans on Karnataka to seek Centre’s approval

Bangalore: The high court on Saturday reserved its judgment regarding public interest litigations (PILs) seeking the re-opening of HAL airport for civil and commercial operations.
City advocate GR Mohan, social activist RK Misra, Bangalore City Connect Foundation, Airport Authority of India Employees Union, and others have filed PILs seeking the re-opening of the HAL airport.
They had contended that the 142nd parliamentary committee on transport, tourism, and culture also recommended the re-opening of the airport, which was closed for commercial operations on May 23, 2008.
According to the agreement signed by the Union government with Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), no airport could be allowed to operate within 150-km radius of BIA.
A division bench headed by Chief Justice JS Khehar directed all petitioners to file a joint memo on Monday, if they desire to urge the central government to consider re-opening of the HAL airport.
The bench will then issue directions to the central government to consider the re-opening of the airport. Otherwise, the judgment will be passed on merits of the case.
Individual petitioners have contended that the HAL airport, belonging to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, is the only airport in the city that can cater to the requirement of civilian air traffic, apart from meeting its obligation to handle defence aircraft.
27/03/11 Odeal D'Souza/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Airports Mar 2011