Bangalore: After failing to meet a few deadlines set earlier for the take-off of the much-delayed Bangalore International Airport project, Karnataka today (Jan 5, 2004) said the work on the project would commence "shortly".

"The Government is committed to creating a durable and modern infrastructure in the State and the work on Bangalore International Airport is set to commence shortly," Karnataka Governor T N Chaturvedi said in his address to the joint legislature session in Bangalore.

Though the joint venture partners had been selected and the shareholders agreement signed in January 2002, other formalities like legal ones took a long time, he said explaining the delay in starting the work.

The Government had earlier set deadlines for commencement of the project, including the latest one for January.

The airport is scheduled to open for passenger traffic by the end of 2006 and would establish Bangalore as a passenger and cargo hub apart from giving a fillip to tourism and exports, Chaturvedi said.

He said it was expected that tourist destinations Hampi and Gulbarga would be put on the air map during the coming year and upgradation of Mysore airport was on the anvil.