``I deem it as a Deepavali gift by the Centre to Karnataka'', Krishna told mediapersons here on return from New Delhi when asked about Yadav's assurance.

The project was the most needed for the state's economic development and if Centre cleared the project and paved way for commencement of work, long cherished dream of people of the state to have an international airport would be realised, Krishna said.

The Chief Minister equally assured the Centre that the state would not lag behind in cooperating with it in executing the project.

Yadav, who was here, announced yesterday that the Centre would give green signal soon to the international airport project.