Mangaluru: For now, there is no proposal for an additional airport in coastal Karnataka, said district Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil at a symposium on air service and introduction to air cargo, on August 25 at the auditorium of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).

Elaborating further, the DC said that as the existing city airport is fully capable of handling the demand for the next 50 years, no proposal has been drafted for the construction of an additional airport. He added that, as lots of agricultural products were being exported via the Mangaluru airport from Kasargod and Kodagu, the construction of a separate cargo terminal would be discussed by the airport authorities, KCCI and the district administration. He also informed that 33 acres of land had been acquired for the expansion of the airport.

As for complaints about the numerous potholes on the highway from the city to the airport, the DC said that the highway fell under the purview of the Central government, therefore, the National Highway Authority of India was responsible for repairs. He also added that the district administration would also help to get the road repaired.

Since the airfare of many airliners was hiked when travel by roadways and railways was affected due to the natural calamities in and around the district, the DC said that he would be taking up this issue with the government.

At the symposium, KCCI president Vathika Pai, airline service and airport sub-committee former president Capt John Prasad Menezes, Reena Shetty, Prashanth and students of various colleges were present.

Director of the local airport, V V Rao attended the valedictory function of the symposium as the chief guest.