Mysore, June 1 (MTY&KMC)- "The Mandakalli airport would have become operational by now if the plane crash in Mangalore on May 22 had not occurred," said MP Adagoor H. Viswanath.

He was replying to a question raised by M. Lakshmana, Convenor, Association of Concerned and Informed Citizens of Mysore (ACICM), during the Janaspandana (mass contact programme) held at the MP’s office in Government Guest House here this morning.

Lakshmana pointed out to the MP that following the Mandakalli airport’s recent inauguration, it had not yet become operational and expressed anxiety over the airport infrastructure becoming ill-maintained.

He also urged Viswanath to exert pressure on the Central Government to get airline operators to commence flights from Mysore airport.

Viswanath said that officials from the Kingfisher and Jet Airways had already conducted surveys of the Mandakalli airport and since the State Government had announced Rs. 25 crore subsidies for operating light aircrafts for the time being, the airport would become operational soon.

Tourism package

To a query from Lakshmana about the MP's steps taken towards tourism development in Mysore city, Viswanath assured to seek a special tourism package from the Centre.

Earlier Viswanath, addressing a gathering of a few hundred persons, said that it was one year since he had assumed charge as the MP and the Janaspandana, a unique programme initiated ever by an MP, was aimed at involving the people in documenting “the achievements and development activities” undertaken by him in the past one year.

"You must not only appreciate the works undertaken by me as MP but also provide guidance and suggestions to serve the people better in the forthcoming days," he said.

Journalist Amshi Prasanna Kumar, speaking on the occasion, pointed out several issues that needed the MP's attention like the Mysore-Bangalore double track work completion, Mysore-Hassan circuit tourism, making Mandakalli airport operational, addressing the problems of coffee growers and tribals in Kodagu etc.

In reply, Viswanath appreciated Amshi’s gesture of raising several vital issues pertaining to his constituency and assured to do the needful.

Litterateur M.N. Javaraiah, speaking on the occasion, drew the attention of the MP towards the menace of admissions to schools and the donations.

MLAs Tanveer Sait and M. Sathyanarayana, City Congress President C. Dasegowda, Mysore Rural Congress President R. Dharmasena, ZP President S.N. Siddhartha and others were present. Earlier, the MP was accorded a warm welcome at the City Congress office on Sayyaji Rao Road here.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore