The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Environment Ministry has deferred the decision to grant green nod for construction of the poll-bound Karnataka Government’s much-ambitious greenfield airport at Vijayapura and has sought additional information. The Ministry gives environment clearances (EC) to 'A' category projects based on the recommendations of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).

The panel in its meeting held last month, to be precise on February 24, also took cognizance that while the google images have shown construction being undertaken at the site even as the nod is pending, the project proponent had failed to give undertaking that no such activity was being executed.

With this development, the construction of the proposed airport is likely to be delayed much to the chagrin of the Karnataka Government which is keen to flag off the project by March so that it can be inaugurated before the Election Commission Model Code of Conduct is imposed  on the State.

The project is to come up at the 727 acres (294.20 ha) area for which land has already been acquired. Initially three other sites namely Bijapur (at Arakeri village near Bhutanal tank), Mulwada and Madhubhavi were considered but not found feasible for the project.

However, the EAC chaired by Promode Kant, while examining Google based imageries/maps of the proposed site, noticed “some construction work at the proposed site. On enquiry, the proponent informed that only some preparatory work has been carried out on the site. The EAC requested the proponent to submit an undertaking wherein it is clearly stated that no construction work had been initiated on the proposed site. However, the proponent could not submit the undertaking at the EAC meeting held on February 24.

 “In view of non-submission of the undertaking regarding existing construction work, the proposal has been deferred,” said the panel. If media reports are to be believed, work on the internal road, parking facilities, and the apron has been completed, work is still under way on the runway, taxiway and other facilities.