Bengaluru, March 11 (IANS). Karnataka’s Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil said on Wednesday that the Central government has declared Madurai airport in Tamil Nadu as an international airport, but no such decision has been taken regarding Hubballi and Belagavi airports in Karnataka. Calling it a discriminatory attitude, he said it is not acceptable.
Speaking on the issue in Bengaluru, Minister Patil said, “How can there be butter for them and lime for us?”
He said that the Central Government may have taken this decision keeping in mind the upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu, but its indifferent attitude towards the demands of Karnataka raises questions.
Patil said that on June 24, 2025, a letter was written to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu requesting to give international status to Hubballi and Belagavi airports. North Karnataka region will benefit greatly from this.
He said that in this matter, Union Minister and Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi, Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar and Haveri MP Basavaraj Bommai should raise their voice for the interests of the state.
The minister said that at least one of these two airports, Hubballi or Belagavi, should be declared an international airport. If both get this status, it will be even more welcome.
He said that the central government should recognize the needs of the state.
It is noteworthy that in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 10, 2026, approval was given to officially declare Madurai Airport in Tamil Nadu as an international airport. The move aims to boost tourism, strengthen trade and improve global connectivity.
With this decision, Madurai’s 16-year long wait for the Customs Airport to get international status ends. With this, flights will now be able to operate from Madurai to Colombo, Dubai and Abu Dhabi as well as other international destinations.
–IANS
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