AP CM Naidu Reviews Work On G’varam, Bhogapuram Airports

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday reviewed the progress on seven new new airports coming up in the State and the expansion of Gannavaram Airport in Vijayawada and construction of Bhogapuram International Airport.

Currently, there are seven operational airports in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Kadapa, Rajahmundry and Gannavaram, which are managed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI). Kurnool airport is managed by the State Government while Puttaparthi is a private airstrip. In addition to these, Bhogapuram International Airport is being developed under PPP mode by involving GMR Group.

The State Government has already decided to bring seven more new airports with the support of Union Ministry of Civil Aviation in view of the growing needs. Union Minister for Civil Aviation K Rammohan Naidu, who is from TDP, has pledged support for expansion of the airport network. While some projects were taken during the previous TDP Government, the subsequent YSRCP regime put them aside, according to an official release. In these circumstances, the coalition government is determined to restart work on them and meet the future needs, the release stated adding, as part of this, Chief Minister Naidu reviewed the construction and expansion of airports in the State and the construction of new airports. The review was attended by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu and senior officials of AAI. The government will set up new airports at Kuppam, Dagdarthi, Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Nagarjuna Sagar, Tuni-Annavaram and Ongole. A feasibility report has been prepared for Kuppam Airport. The construction of this airport will be done in two phases.

A total of 1,250 acres have already been identified including 683 acres in the first phase and 567 acres in the 2nd phase. But due to the presence of IAF, HAL and Bangalore International Airports nearby, the officials explained that the issue of air space also needs to be

considered.