After the Centre has given the nod to an airport in Warangal’s Mamnoor, yet another Nizam-era airstrip in Telangana has moved closer to becoming an airport. Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy Wednesday said the Indian Air Force (IAF) has given ‘in-principle’ approval for the establishment of a civil airport in Adilabad, a third for the state if it came into reality along with the one in Mamnoor. At present, Telangana has only one airport: The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.
The Centre recently accepted the Airports Authority of India (AAI)’s request, following the orders of the Telangana government, to develop the Mamnoor airport. The Mamnoor and Adilabad airstrips were operational during the Nizam era, the period from 1724 to 1948 when the Asaf Jahi dynasty ruled the princely state of Hyderabad
Komatireddy shared a copy of the official communication from the IAF, which said it first envisaged setting up a training establishment in Adilabad. “However, the IAF has considered the request and agreed ‘in-principle’ to the proposal of Government of Telangana for civil aircraft operations from Adilabad airfield,” said the letter dated April 1 from IAF Director Sanap Bajirao Ramnath. The minister said the letter suggested developing this airport as a joint-user airfield suitable for both civil aviation and Air Force aircraft movements.
“The runway needs to be resurfaced and a civil apron connected to the runway with link taxi tracks. AAI may be requested to submit a detailed proposal for issuance of NOC by IAF,” the letter said.
The minister said essential tasks include reconstructing the runway to accommodate civil aircraft, establishing a civil terminal, and developing additional infrastructure such as the aircraft apron. He also said Air Force officials have requested that the necessary land be provided to the AAI.
Reddy said the AAI has been asked to submit detailed proposals to the Air Force to secure all necessary permissions for the airport. He assured us that a comprehensive report containing all relevant details will be prepared and submitted to the Centre and the appropriate departments soon.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
