Bengaluru: Minister for Youth Services, Pramodh Madhvaraj has promised to do his best to save the Jakkur flying school, which is under threat from the Metro Rail’s new route to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).
"We will try our best to save the Jakkur flying school by requesting the Metro to change the alignment of the new line. But Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will have to take a final call on t his," Mr. Madhvaraj told the Deccan Chronicle, when contacted.
While Bengaluru Development Minister, K J George had recently announced the new Metro route from Nagawara via Hegde Nagar, Jakkur and Yelahanka to KIA, it has not yet been approved by the state cabinet.
Taking no chances, however, the Government Flying Training School at Jakkur , founded by the Maharaja of Mysore in 1949, has written to the state government, expressing concern over the new Metro alignment affecting its operations.
" The Metro project to the airport took off in 2011-2012. We raised our concerns then and the idea was squashed. But it has now resurfaced, without consulting us. We would like to be involved in the decision- making," said a GTFS source, adding that the Metro should receive a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the school before it goes ahead with its plans in the area.
" We have a say in this matter, but we fear it might be too late. The Metro officials may say they are ready with their designs and engineering plans. It would be much better if the Metro goes underground, or even along the railway line in this section," sources added. A few years ago, construction of the runway at the airport had disrupted the school's operations temporarily.
Transport expert, Sanjeev Dyamnavar from the Praaja RAAG advocacy group says there could be an alternative route to the airport on the Gottigere-Nagawara line.
"The Metro rail could run from Hegde Nagar to Bagalur, Mylanahalli and then the Airport. This will require less land acquisition, employees of KIADB Aerospace park will benefit from the train service and it can go along the new airport road being constructed," he pointed out.
