Vijayawada: The expansion of Gannavaram airport will be completed by June and the new terminal will be operational, said officials during a review meeting with chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday. Officials presented the designs of the new terminal, which are themed with Kuchipudi and Amaravati Stupa. Apart from the development of existing airports, plans to set up seven new airports and the challenges involved were also discussed in the meeting.
There are currently seven airports in the state. While Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Kadapa, Rajahmundry, and Gannavaram airports are being managed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Kurnool airport is under the operational control of the state govt, while Puttaparthi is a private airstrip. The state govt has decided to construct seven new airports at Kuppam, Dagadarthi, Srikakulam, Tadepalligudem, Nagarjuna Sagar, Tuni-Annavaram, and Ongole.
A feasibility report for Kuppam airport has already been prepared. The construction is proposed to be taken up in two phases over an extent of 1,250 acres. However, due to the proximity of IAF, HAL, and Bengaluru international airports, airspace considerations have be taken into account, and an NOC from relevant authorities is required, officials told the chief minister.
For Srikakulam airport, the feasibility survey has been completed. It will be constructed in two phases over 1,383 acres, with land acquisition already underway. Dagadarthi airport was planned by the previous TDP govt (2014-19) over an extent of 1,379 acres, of which 635 acres have already been acquired. Naidu stressed the importance of faster completion of this airport as the area is witnessing industrial development, including a BPCL refinery, making it a suitable airport for cargo and industry. He also suggested considering an airstrip in Sri City SEZ.
For Ongole airport, 657 acres have been identified, and a feasibility study is required. In Palnadu district, an airport is planned over 1,670 acres near Nagarjuna Sagar, with 500 acres yet to be acquired. Forest clearance is also needed. The decision to undertake Tadepalligudem airport on 1,123 acres is being assessed due to the proximity of Rajahmundry and Gannavaram airports.
