Wednesday, December 7 2005 16:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Karnataka Government is pushing the Centre to upgrade Mangalore airport to international airport as it sees huge potential there going forward.

Karnataka's Finance, Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister, P G R Sindhia, said the State has made an appeal to the Union Government in this regard.

Inaugurating Aerodrome India 2005, a three-day international exhibition and seminar here, he assured to provide land and give support to the proposed aero-engineering institute, mooted by President of Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies and Industries (SIATI), Dr. C G Krishnadas Nair.

Nair, earlier addressing the delegates from India and overseas, pointed out that while there are some institutes offering courses in aerospace engineering, there is not a single institution focused on imparting a course on airport infrastructure, design, air traffic control and related areas.

"State Government and UGC (University Grants Commission) have agreed to support (the proposed institute)", added Nair, a former Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.