Vijayapura Airport Set to Open Within Three Months, Says M.B. Patil.

Karnataka Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil on Wednesday said the Vijayapura Airport is likely to become operational within three months after the Supreme Court cleared the environmental clearance hurdle that had delayed its commissioning.

In a statement, Patil said the airport infrastructure is ready for operations, with the remaining statutory approvals, including environmental clearance and inspection by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), expected to determine the final timeline for its launch.

Welcoming the Supreme Court's judgment, the minister said the order has paved the way for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to process pending environmental clearance applications, including that of the Vijayapura Airport project.

Patil said the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi had resolved the uncertainty surrounding projects that commenced without prior environmental approval.

According to the minister, the Karnataka government has already submitted its application for environmental clearance. Once the clearance is granted, DGCA officials will inspect the completed airport infrastructure before issuing the necessary approvals for commercial operations.

The State government has invested more than ₹614 crore in developing the airport, Patil said. Once operational, the facility is expected to improve air connectivity and spur economic activity in the Kittur Karnataka region and adjoining areas.