Work on night-landing facility at Shivamogga airport reviewed

Shivamogga: Nanjayyana Hiremath, chairman of Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC), conducted a progress review of the night-landing facility at Rashtrakavi Kuvempu Airport here on Saturday, setting a deadline for the project's completion.Addressing officials and contractors during the inspection, Hiremath directed that all pending works must be finished by the first week of June, ahead of his follow-up visit scheduled for June 7-8.Amid public concern over the suspension of flights by IndiGo, the chairman clarified that the airline's decision has no connection to the ongoing night-landing infrastructure project. "The night-landing facility is being fully funded by the state govt. IndiGo's service suspension is primarily due to a shortage of pilots and operational constraints within the airline, which operates under central regulations," Hiremath explained.He added that the state is in talks with IndiGo and several other airlines to restore and expand flight connectivity to Shivamogga once the technical upgrades are complete.The chairman noted that the push for night-landing capabilities gained momentum following repeated representations from local leader HC Yogish.Officials on-site assured the chairman that the lighting installation and technical work would be finalised by the first week of June.Hiremath reiterated that the state govt is committed to providing world-class aviation infrastructure to Shivamogga to boost regional growth and travel convenience.