Jindal Vijaynagar Airport open for commercial operations

JSW Steel Ltd, country’s second largest integrated steel producers today threw open their Jindal Vijaynagar Airport for commercial operations to commemorate the Suvarna Karnataka Jayanti. This is the first private airfield in the corporate sector, which has been opened up for commercial operations to civil airlines. The Director General of Civil Aviation has certified the airport fit for operations by ATR aircraft on the 1,500-metre runway. Bangalore-based Air Deccan became the first airline to begin operations from this airport, where the steel plant is located. At a gala ceremony held at Toranagallu, Hon’ble Minister for Civil Aviation Mr. Praful Patel inaugurated the Jindal Vijaynagar Airport and laid the foundation stone of the Kaladham heritage Village and an up-market resort Hotel by Saraf Hotels group, in the midst of other dignitaries. Mr. Patel commended the initiative shown by the JSW group and said “JSW Steel Ltd. is the first steel plant in the country to be connected with a commercial airport.”

He added that while in the olden times roads and railways provided the catalyst for growth and development, today air connectivity is a must for economic development. In an initiative to boost international tourist traffic and to facilitate better connectivity with the timeless architectural splendour called Hampi, JSW Steel Ltd is working towards developing Vijaynagar airfield as a fully functional airport like extending and strengthening the runway along with ticketing and check-in counters. In his inaugural address, Mr. Sajjan Jindal, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, JSW Steel Ltd, said, “Since inception, Bellary district has had a tremendous potential for growth and is known for its iron ore mines and garment industry. The region also has Hampi, which is a UNESCO recognized world heritage site. The air connectivity will help to bridge the gap between Bangalore and Hampi and thus provide a much-needed thrust to tourism in the region, which was lagging due to the lack of infrastructure.”

The hotel and Kaladham, the crafts village will act as a magnet for tourists as well as providing livelihood to the locals, opined Mr. Jindal. Other prominent guests who spoke on the occasion were Mr. Arun Saraf the hotelier, Mr. Shabbir Khambata, VP (Air Aviation) of Air Deccan. To provide end-to-end connectivity with Bangalore and Goa, Air Deccan has started operating daily flights leaving Bangalore at 12.55 hrs and arriving Bellary at 14.00 hrs. On the return leg Air Deccan flights will depart Bellary at 17.10 hrs and reach Bangalore at 18.10 hrs. Similarly, Air Deccan has started operating at 15.50 hrs from Goa and reaching Bellary at 16.55 hrs. On return, Air Deccan flights will reach Goa at 15.35 hrs leaving Bellary at 14.25 hrs.

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