BJP MP backs Sira as pick for second airport of B'luru

TOP AAI OFFICIALS HAVE INSPECTED TWO OF THE THREE SITES FOR BENGALURU'S PROPOSED SECOND AIRPORT NEAR THE CITY ON TUESDAY

- Arun Dev

BENGALURU: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Wednesday lent its weight to the selection of Sira in Tumakuru district as the location for the second airport.

Sira is about 120km away from the city, has a growing number of voices in the opposition pushing it as the more suitable site.

Union minister and BJP member of Parliament (MP) V Somanna has now openly backed Sira, opposing the Congress-led Karnataka government's ongoing efforts to finalise one of three shortlisted sites closer to Bengaluru.

While the Congress government has narrowed down its options to Chudahalli and Somanahalli on Kanakapura Road, and a third site along Nelamangala-Kunigal Road, there is growing internal disagreement. Senior Congress leaders, including home minister G Parameshwara and MLA TB Jayachandra, have spoken in favour of locating the airport in Tumakuru district instead.