Civil aviation operations from Karwar naval base “uncertain”

Mumbai: The naval base of Karwar, being developed as one of India's largest naval bases alongside Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, is now being sought to be included in the civil aviation grid. Karwar is located on the country's west coast in the southern state of Karnataka.

In a reply to Vijay Mallya, MP, Karnataka, AK Antony, minister of defence, has said that the government proposes major expansion of the strategic Karwar base.

However, he mentioned that no firm proposal on sanctioning additional land for civil operations to be conducted at the airport of the naval base had been received from the state government. That makes granting permission for civil operations a little uncertain, he said.

The ministry had earlier expressed grave doubts about allowing civil operations at a naval airbase.

The state had earlier suggested to the Union ministry that an expanded regional network of airports to support smaller aircraft was necessary, and could also aid in the development of tourism in the state.