Bellary gets an airport of its own

 

MUMBAI: Frequent travellers to Bellary now have an option to travel by air. JSW Steel Ltd, the country’s second-largest integrated steel producer, on Friday threw open its Jindal Vijaynagar Airport for commercial operations by civil airlines.

 

The airport, with a 1,500-metre runway, has been certified fit for ATR operations by the Director General of Civil Aviation.

 

Bangalore-based Air Deccan became the first airline to begin operations from this airport, close to the steel plant. It has started operating daily flights leaving Bangalore at 12.55 hours and reaching Bellary at 14.00 hours and departing from Bellary at 17.10 hours and reaching Bangalore at 18.10 hours. Similarly, a flight will leave Goa at 15.50 hours and reach Bellary at 16.55 hours and depart from Bellary at 14.25 hours and reach Goa at 15.35 hours.

 

Bellary district is rich in iron ore and also a vibrant garment industry. The airport will also bring the UNESCO-recognised world heritage site Hampi within easier reach of tourists, Sajjan Jindal, vice-chairman and managing director, JSW Steel, pointed out.