B'lore international airport up in 3 yrs

BANGALORE: Bangalore's IT fraternity which has been crying itself hoarse over the pitiable state of infrastructure in the city have something to cheer about. Work on the long awaited Bangalore international airport at Devanahalli near Bangalore will take off soon.

CM Dharam Singh today announced that the cabinet had given its unanimous approval for the project. Speaking to the press, PGR Scindia, minister for major industries and infrastructure said, "The cabinet gave its approval today and as per the agreement with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), the airport should be ready in three years."

Work on the project would commence in February 2005. Some of the stakeholders in the project include Seimens Project Ventures with 40 percent stake, Unique Zurich airport (13 percent), Airports Authority of India (17 percent) and the Karnataka government (13 percent). The total cost of the project is around Rs 1,334 crore of which, the state government would invest Rs 350 crore.

Infosys chairman Narayana Murthy is the chairman of BIAL.