Date:10/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/10/stories/2008121055491000.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Land inspected for setting up airstrip

Staff Correspondent

DAVANGERE: A long-felt need of Davangere, an airstrip, may come true in another eight months if the visit of Air Force officers here a few days ago to study the availability of locations for the airstrip is any indication.

The team of officers from the Air Force inspected three places, including Karihanumanahalli and Tholahunese village.

The team studied the topography of the proposed areas and also collected wind data. The team is expected to submit its report soon.

The district administration has identified three locations to set up airstrip. The airstrip will be set up in an area of over 100 acres.

Small aircraft can also land at the proposed airstrip along with helicopters.

Deputy Commissioner K. Amaranarayan told The Hindu that once the Air Force approved the land, the district administration would start the acquisition process.

He was hopeful that the work to build the airstrip could commence in another five or six months.

Davangere was once a commercial hub with many textile mills and oil mills.

Education centre

It is now an important educational centre having engineering, medical and dental colleges apart from many management studies and other colleges.

Davangere registers a business turnover of crores of rupees with large quantity of foodgrains being exported.

Many industrialists and politicians have been fighting for an airstrip for Davangere.

An industrialist-cum-politician has obtained an aircraft and uses the airstrip at the Birla airstrip in Haveri district.

A medical student who met with an accident here was shifted to hospital in Bangalore by hired helicopter.

An airstrip in Davangere will help quicker transportation of men and material.

As the news of the proposed airstrip spread, the rate of land adjacent to the proposed location went up.