Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah Meets Civil Aviation Minister To Push For Mysuru Airport
News18 has exclusively accessed a letter dated January 9, in which Siddaramaiah urged the AAI to expedite the airport’s expansion, citing a 2005 agreement. It was also submitted to the central minister
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah met Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu to push for the expansion of Mysuru Airport, a project the state government has been aggressively pursuing.
News18 has exclusively accessed a letter dated January 9, where Siddaramaiah urged the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to expedite the airport’s expansion, citing a 2005 agreement that places the financial responsibility for development on AAI. This was also submitted to the central minister.
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The Chief Minister stated in the letter that the Karnataka government had already allocated Rs 319.14 crore for acquiring 240 acres required for the runway extension, with the land acquisition process now in its final stages.
As per the 2005 agreement, the state is responsible for providing additional land free of cost, while the AAI is obligated to fund all capital expenditure for expansion and upgrades.
Met Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu @RamMNK in Delhi today and discussed the development of airports in Mysuru, Kalaburagi, and Vijayapura.Industries Minister M.B. Patil, Political Secretaries Govindaraju and Legal Advisor Ponnanna, Chief Secretary… pic.twitter.com/BEEAQ1qccZ
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) April 4, 2025
“Since the State Government has borne the land acquisition cost of ₹319.14 crore for 240 acres required for the runway expansion of Mysuru Airport, the Airports Authority of India is requested to plan the expansion works, bear the estimated cost of ₹101.84 crore required for utility shifting, and take up the runway expansion/development works at the earliest," Siddaramaiah’s letter stated.
The CM, along with Industries Minister MB Patil, also discussed the development of airports in Kalaburagi and Vijayapura.
The letter on Mysuru Airport also addressed pending utility shifting costs. The Cauvery Irrigation Corporation Limited (CNNL) has estimated Rs 70 crore for diverting ditches and canals in the expansion area, while the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) and Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) have estimated Rs 31.82 crore for re-routing high-tension and low-tension power lines. This brings the total infrastructure shifting cost to Rs 101.82 crore.
With land acquisition nearly complete, the state government has urged AAI to bear these costs and begin expansion work without further delay. The letter emphasised the urgency of the project and sought an early response from AAI.
MYSURU DEVELOPMENT PUSH IN THE 2025 BUDGET
Mysuru has seen significant allocations in Siddaramaiah’s 2025 budget. Representing the Chamundeshwari constituency from the region, he has prioritised the airport’s expansion. The budget earmarked Rs 319 crore for extending the Mysuru Airport runway, aimed at meeting increasing demand and boosting the region’s tourism potential.
Additionally, the budget includes Rs 500 crore for developing a modern film city in Mysuru. Planned across 150 acres under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, the film city is expected to strengthen the region’s cultural and economic landscape.
The proposed runway extension—from 1.7 km to 3.5 km—will enable Mysuru Airport to accommodate larger aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350. This upgrade is expected to enhance both domestic and international connectivity.
With Mysuru’s proximity to Bengaluru and the newly built six-lane expressway reducing travel time between the two cities, there is a push to develop them as twin cities. Improved airport connectivity is expected to further facilitate travel.
Known for its heritage sites and yoga retreats, Mysuru is already a major wellness tourism destination. The government’s modified UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aimed at improving regional air connectivity, is expected to further support the city’s growth as a tourism and business hub, according to officials in the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
An upgraded airport could also serve as a key driver of Mysuru’s economy, with tourism set to benefit significantly. The city, often referred to as the cultural capital of Karnataka, attracted over 50 lakh tourists in 2024 alone, a number that is expected to rise with better infrastructure, the government claimed.
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