AP Leveraging Central Support To Develop Aviation Infra In Big Way

Visakhapatnam: With the TDP becoming a key ally of BJP as part of the NDA coalition and its Srikakulam MP K Rammohan Naidu becoming the Civil Aviation Minister, the Centre and the State are aligned in their vision to give a big fillip to aviation infrastructure.

The results are tangible with the Centre going out of the way in supporting to the TDP-led coalition in the State in hosting of drone summit at Amaravati and the launching of trial service of seaplane service from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to Srisailam in Nandyal district to boost tourism.

After failed attempts in Gujarat and Kerala, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has pledged its wholehearted support to develop water aerodromes on Prakasam Barrage and other parts across the State and promote helicopter (heli) tourism to Araku Valley, Borra Caves and other places of tourist interest in Andhra Pradesh. "Making helicopter services accessible to every Indian is a mission close to my heart. From Kedarnath to Vaishno Devi, we’re seeing how helicopters transform pilgrimage journeys, connecting people to sacred sites with ease and efficiency," Rammohan Naidu remarked in a post on X.

On the other hand, the Bhogapuram International Airport, which is being developed by the GMR Airport in close proximity to Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram district, will be made operational by June, 2026, six months ahead of schedule, according to Rammohan Naidu. The first phase work is costing nearly Rs 5,000 crore. The airport has been named as Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport. Once the airport is opened for commercial traffic, Visakhapatnam International Airport, a civil enclave, located on INS Dega Air Station of the Indian Navy, will become an exclusive defence airport.

The Civil Aviation Minister also announced the extension of full support for development of airports at Srikakulam, Kuppam, Dagadarthi and Nagarjunasagar for which feasibility studies are being conducted. There is also a proposal to evaluate the proposal of the State government for developing airports at Tadepalligudem, Ongole and somewhere between Tuni and Annavaram. The State is also trying to seek the support of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to convert Puttaparthi airport into a government airport.

During a recent meeting, he said that Rajahmundry airport runway will be ready by August, 2025 and Kadapa airport work to be completed by December, 2025. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu after a discussion with the officials concerned on Saturday set June, 2025 as the deadline for completion of modernisation of Vijayawada airport at a cost of Rs 611 crore. Almost 60 per cent of work is already over. Half of the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower is completed. The ATC will cost Rs 85 crore. Following several representations from the trade and commerce, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is also considering launching dedicated cargo service from Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.

Andhra Pradesh, which recently unveiled an exclusive drone policy, aims to attract an investment of Rs 1,000 crore by 100 drone companies so as to employ 40,000 people and train 25,000 as drone pilots and allied services in five years. In the first five years, a target has been set to generate a revenue of Rs 3,000 crore from the drone industry. A proposal has been made to set up a Drone Development Centre at Kurnool.

Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Ltd (APADCL), which played a key role in trial run of a seaplane from Prakasam Barrage to Srisailam on Saturday, they have identified Prakasam Barrage, Araku, Lambasingi, Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Konaseema, Srisailam and Tirupati for seaplane services to

boost tourism.