Kolhapur: Two years ago, the state government had initiated the process to develop airports at Kolhapur, Karad and Solapur giving local industry hopes of better facilities. But little development has taken place since then despite the fact that the three cities are centres of major industrial production, export-worthy produce such as grapes and pomegranates and sugar producing factories.
There are more than 42,000 large, medium and small scale units located in the triangle, which would be main beneficiaries of the airports. Despite a positive response earlier, the Karad airstrip expansion is now facing a major opposition for land acquisition. The fate of Solapur airport expansion plan is no different than that of Karad's airstrip. In comparison, Kolhapur airport is in a better position and has invited bids to expand the compound wall of the property.
Developing the Kolhapur airport was a crucial part of MP Dhananjay Mahadik's Lok Sabha campaign. Mahadik has expressed disappointment over the union government's lackadaisical response. Speaking with TOI, Mahadik said, "I am going to raise the issue in the forthcoming parliamentary session. In July 2014, the union government had announced that it would develop 50 small scale airports in the country, including Kolhapur and Solapur. But, in reality, no funds have been released for the work. There is a huge demand for these airports and air connectivity to these cities. Kolhapur-based foundry industry is the second largest in the country, yet no measures to develop facilities have been taken up by the union government."
16/07/15 Nikhil Deshmukh/Times of India
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There are more than 42,000 large, medium and small scale units located in the triangle, which would be main beneficiaries of the airports. Despite a positive response earlier, the Karad airstrip expansion is now facing a major opposition for land acquisition. The fate of Solapur airport expansion plan is no different than that of Karad's airstrip. In comparison, Kolhapur airport is in a better position and has invited bids to expand the compound wall of the property.
Developing the Kolhapur airport was a crucial part of MP Dhananjay Mahadik's Lok Sabha campaign. Mahadik has expressed disappointment over the union government's lackadaisical response. Speaking with TOI, Mahadik said, "I am going to raise the issue in the forthcoming parliamentary session. In July 2014, the union government had announced that it would develop 50 small scale airports in the country, including Kolhapur and Solapur. But, in reality, no funds have been released for the work. There is a huge demand for these airports and air connectivity to these cities. Kolhapur-based foundry industry is the second largest in the country, yet no measures to develop facilities have been taken up by the union government."
16/07/15 Nikhil Deshmukh/Times of India
