Project Seabird to bring air link to Karwar

Karwar: The coastal town of Karwar, which in the recent years has grown to be a tourist hub, is likely to be connected through air route shortly.

A Navy air station along with civil terminal may become a reality in six years with the collaborated efforts of the Indian Navy and the state government under the second phase of Project Seabird.

The second phase has already taken off and there would be considerable enhancement in the operational infrastructure in the area.

Construction of naval air station is one of the major highlights of the second phase. However instead of restricting it only for military purpose, there is a move to open it for commercial flights.

Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area  (FOK) Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh N.M. said the state government has evinced interest in the offer and is likely to acquire additional land in vicinity to increase the runway length for commercial operations and set up civilian air terminal.

"We have all the needed land for the second phase, including the construction of 2000 metres of runway that is adequate for our purpose. However for civil aviation there is a need of additional 1000 metres runway and also construction of civilian terminal. The state government has identified land for this to the south of the project site," he said.

Once the runway is 3000 metres long even big aircraft will be able to land here.

As per the plan many components like additional berthing, accommodation, repair and support facility would be completed by 2023 and the Navy's air station would be completed by 2025.

According to officials around 40 acres is likely to be acquired by the state government for the runway and terminal. This is likely to come up at Ankola, near Belekeri port.

Once this air station becomes operational, it would not only help the Navy but also the people travelling from Uttara Kannada to other destinations through flights.

Karwar, which shares its border with Goa has grown as a tourist destination in the last few years. However many tourists take a flight to Goa or Dharwad then travel to Karwar by road, which takes three hours. Moreover Goa airport has become very busy, hence an air station in Karwar would be of a great help.

It would also help the people residing in Bhatkal, Kumta and even South Goa.

"This airport would help the people of the region. We are sending the proposal for land acquisition and to provide basic amenities to the state government shortly," Uttara Kannada district Deputy Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar told Deccan Chronicle.