Yediyurappa Rejects State Government's Proposal To Name Shivamogga Airport After Him, Says It Should Be Named In Honour Of Rashtrakavi Kuvempu

Senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Sunday rejected a proposal by the state government led by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to name the newly constructed airport in Shivamogga after him.

Yediyurappa has instead suggested that the airport be named after literary colossus Kuvempu, widely regarded as the greatest Kannada poet and the first Jnanpith award winner from the state. For his stellar contributions to Kannada literature, the Government of Karnataka awarded him the honorific Rashtrakavi (National Poet) in 1958 and Karnataka Ratna (Gem of Karnataka) in 1992. 'Jaya Bharata Jananiya Tanujate, Jaya he Karnataka Maate' ( Victory to you Mother Karnataka, The Daughter of Mother India!), the state's official song, was composed by the celebrated poet.

A state university in Shivamogga, spread over spread in about 230 acres, is also named after Kuvempu. Kuvempu was born in Shivamogga district.

Addressing the media in Shivamogga, Yediyurappa said, "In the (ongoing) legislature session, we will take a unanimous decision and send it (the proposal) to the Centre. Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming to inaugurate the airport on February 27, I request him to make this announcement (of naming it after Kuvempu)," he said. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the airport, the second biggest in the state after the international airport in Bengaluru, on February 27, coinciding with Yediyurappa's 80th birthday.

"Kuvempu preached the universal message through writing. Prime Minister Modi is working hard to implement it. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is working to spread the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," Yediyurappa added.

Earlier last week, the Karnataka government announced its decision to name the new airport at Shivamogga after Yediyurappa. CM Bommai said that the proposal with the recommendation would be sent to the Centre.

"Earlier, Shri Yediyurappa had opposed naming the airport after him. The State Cabinet has taken a decision to propose his name. However, I hope he will accept it as a token of people's love for him."

The demand to name the airport after Yediyurappa has come from leading seers and many people in Shivamogga.

Yediyurappa is widely credited with championing the airport project in Sogane near Shivamogga and ensuring its execution despite multiple hurdles. Shivamogga is the home district of the former CM. While Yediyurappa represents the Shikaripura assembly constituency in the district, his son B Y Raghavendra represents the Shimoga constituency in Lok Sabha.

About Shivamogga Airport

Shivamogga airport is being developed at Sogane village, at a distance of 12 km from the city, on 663 acres of land (the total available for the proposed airport is about 775 acres ) at an investment of Rs 449.22 crore. Yediyurappa originally mooted the project during his tenure as deputy CM in the JD(S)-BJP government. He also tried to provide impetus during his stint as the state CM between 2009 and 2012.

The project made little progress during the previous Congress government. The State Cabinet, led by then Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, even annulled land allotments for Shimoga and Gulbarga airports. The state had earlier signed an agreement to build airports at Shimoga and Gulbarga on a BOT basis with a consortium of Maytas Infra Ltd (Now IL&FS Engineering and Construction Company Ltd, NCC Infrastructure Holdings Ltd (NCC) and VIE India Project Development and Holding.

The project regained momentum in late 2019 after the newly formed BJP government released Rs 45 crores for the work.

In June 2020, Yediyurappa laid the foundation for constructing the airport project's first phase at Rs 220 crore. KIADB and the state Public Works Department (PWD) are jointly executing the project.

The domestic terminal building will encompass an area of 4231.64 sqm. Capable of handling 300 passengers (150 arrival+ 150 departure) during peak hours with all modern facilities and amenities. The building will provide aesthetically appealing and soothing interior decoration matching the contemporary structure. Airfield Ground Lighting (AGL) & Navigation & Communication System is based on ICAO.

The airport is designed to operate Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 type aircraft and can handle about 200 peak-hour passengers. The project is being executed in two phases. The first phase consists of a runway, taxiway, apron, approach road, peripheral road and compound wall construction, while the second phase consists of a terminal building, ATC tower, and fire station building.

The airport is expected to boost tourism, industries and economic activities in Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru districts.