SC wants old B'lore airport to remain operational

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to consider a citizen group's demand for keeping the existing Bangalore airport operational, given the apprehensions on accessing the new airport located 40 km from the city.

The matter was disposed of after Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium informed the bench that the government will consider their concerns in accordance with law during a meeting scheduled for May 12.

A bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, while disposing of the petition, directed the Centre and the Karnataka government to keep the petitioners posted about the outcome of the meeting.

"We are concerned about the problems of the citizens," the bench observed. A public interest litigation filed by a Bangalore-based NGO had alleged that the Centre's decision to close down the existing HAL airport in Bangalore was unilateral and arbitrary.

Bangalore City Connect Foundation, the NGO, had submitted that the connectivity between Bangalore and Devanahalli, which is 40 km away, was bad, and it would take hours for passengers to travel to the new airport.

The NGO said that grave prejudice would be caused to the residents of Bangalore who would be constrained to commute on congested and deteriorating roads to the new airport and this would undermine the very purpose of air travel.

While stating that government should not have any objection to the demands, senior counsel Harish Salve, appearing for Bangalore City Connect Foundation, said that HAL airport can be used for short-haul domestic flights for the convenience of the public.