The team led by the Karnataka's industry and commerce department principal secretary N Vishwanathan for discussions with officials running the two airports left on Monday. The entire team is likely to come back to the country next week, `with enough experience in running' the international airport, according to a source.

The main agenda of the state government is to study the investments vis-a-vis returns. The decision to this effect comes close on the heels of the government planning to scale down the international airport project by 40-50 per cent from the earlier envisaged investment of Rs 1,500 crore. In line with the existing airport projects in places like Hong Kong and Singapore, the state government would take a final decision onthe size of the Bangalore project and other modalities.

``The investment for the Devanahalli airport is unlikely to cross Rs 1,000 crore,'' a top official in industry and commerce department said.The facilities for the domestic airport would also be in line with the study being conducted by the team. The major factors influencing the additional facilities and thereby investments are the expected number of travellers and the number of fleets.

Apart from Vishwanathan, the team from Bangalore includes Karnataka State Industries and Investment Development Corporation (KSIIDC) chairman and managing director BK Das, KSIIDC general manager-in-charge of the airport project GL Jerrae and others.

The Karnataka government on June 9 started distributing its `expression of interest' documents to prospective companies. Companies will be able to submit their applications on Internet as well.

A source in Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS) Ltd said the entire exercise was expected to continue tillJune 28. The Karnataka government was expecting enquiries from 25-30 leading companies across the globe.

Decision on tenders by August

Karnataka government would finalise global tenders called for establishing an international airport at Devanahally by July and set in motion the process for commencing work by August, according to state minister for major industries B L Shankar.

``Government has already floated global tenders inviting applications from interested parties,'' Shankar told reporters on Tuesday.

All formalities in spotting the partner for the joint venture multi-crore project were expected to be completed by July-end, he said.