Karnataka > Air Transport in Karnataka
The first aeroplane flight in India was introduced in January 1911. The Tata and Sons Ltd., flew its aircraft for the first time in Karnataka in October 1932. This flight was operated between Karachi and Madras with stops at Ahmedabad, Bombay and Bellary. Later, Deccan Airways of the Hyderabad Government operated daily one flight from Hyderabad to Bangalore and back in 1946. On 1st August, 1953, Airlines in the country were nationalised and Government owned Indian Airlines started connecting Bangalore with various other cities in the country. The 'open skies' policy of the Centre has ended the monopoly of plying their aircraft between Bangalore, Bombay, Delhi, Hyderabad etc. The private companies serving in the field were Jet Airways, East-West Airlines, Damania Airways, Deccan Airlines, Sahara and Modi Luft. Apart from Bangalore, the cities of Belgaum, Mangalore and Hubli are also on the air map of the country.
In the Indian Airlines network, Bangalore Airport ranks fifth in respect of revenue earnings. During 1992-93, on an average there were about 60,000 incoming passengers and 60,000 outgoing passengers at Bangalore Airport per month and the incoming and outgoing cargo handled during 1992-93 was 5,104 and 6,711 M.Tonnes respectively. During 1991-92, the incoming and outgoing cargo handled by the Mangalore Airport was 99 and 57 M. tonnes respectively. Direct flight to perth (Australia) and Singapore have begun from Bangalore from 1995. There is a proposal to construct an International Airport near Bangalore at Devanahalli. The State run 'Flying Training School' was started in 1948 at Bangalore to impart training to the youth in flying. This school is also undertaking joy flights, charter flights and also providing flying facilities to scientists and engineers of the defence. In 1991-92, of the nine candidates undergoing the training for commercial pilots licence, three of them have passed the course. At the same period 98 students were undergoing training for the private pilot's course.
Bangalore Airport constructed in an area of 865 acres of land which belongs to HAL and the Airports Authority of India maintains a civil enclave on 20 acres comprised of domestic passenger terminal building suitable to maintain 700 departing passengers and the integrated international terminal building inaugurated in January 99, suitable to handle 700 domestic arrivals and 600 International passengers at a time, fully air conditioned built at an estimated cost of Rs. 21.83 crores. It is equipped with five escalators, four passenger elevators and staircase for transferring passengers from ground floor to first floor and vice-versa. At present, it has all modern facilities.
Passport Office A separate office for the State was established at Bangalore on 12th June 1978, on the bifurcation of Regional Passport Office at Chennai. It is now located in No. I/A, Brunton Road, (across M.G. Road), Bangalore. It is providing passport facilities to the people in Karnataka. The number of passports issued from 1978 is as follows: 1978-17,146; 1979-32,367; 1980-33,507; 1983-68,949; 1985-76,119; 198741,860; 1989-67,052; 1991-58,259 and 1992-1,23,150. By the end of 2000, out of the 1,31,769 fresh applications received, 1,28,943 were disposed of by issuing passports. Generally it takes 30 to 40 days to issue fresh passports. Under Tatkal Scheme, Passports are issued quickly by charging addition fees. Renewal of old ones, issuing of duplicate passport in case of lost and damaged passports and Emigration services are also extended to the public. Tele-Enquiry, Special counters etc., are opened to assist the public. 'KIOSK' - Touch Screen System has been installed to make know the position of passport applications. On-Line Registration services were started to help the working personnel living in different districts has been appreciated by the public. It has also launched a web-site of its own, which help the public to know the position of their applications and objections if any. It has its passport application collection centres at Mangalore started in 1996, and at Gulbarga in February 2000. The Speed Post Passport services have also been launched at selected post offices in March 2001. Since then, the Passport office through its innovative services has reached the public more effectively.
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