Nod for 3 new airports in Andhra

In an aviation bonanza for civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s home state Andhra Pradesh, a steering committee headed by his ministry’s secretary recommended “in principle” approval to three projects in Andhra Pradesh — Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi ( Nellore) and Orvakallu ( Kurnool). The committee also recommended “site clearance” to the project of Kothagudem in Telangana, making this the “second Greenfield airport” in Telangana besides Hyderabad International airport.

In a statement, the civil aviation ministry said, “The Steering Committee on Greenfield airports, headed by secretary, civil aviation ( MoCA), Government of India met today and considered 4 new airport projects. The committee recommended ‘ in principle’ approval to 3 projects in Andhra Pradesh viz., Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi ( Nellore) and Orvakallu ( Kurnool). The committee also recommended for ‘ site clearance’ to the project of Kothagudem in Telengana.”

The committee also recommended ‘ site clearance’ to the project of Kothagudem in Telangana, making this the ‘ second Greenfield airport’ in Telangana

The ministry added, “The new International airport at Bhogapuram will be developed by the state government under PPP mode at an estimated cost of ` 2,200 Crore to cater to 6.3 million passengers per annum ( mppa) in the initial phase. The other two airports in Andhra Pradesh will be developed as domestic no- frills airports with an estimated cost of ` 88 crores each. Dagadarthi will be developed under PPP mode whereas project at Orvakallu will be developed by the state government itself.”

The government further said, “The steering committee has also recommended ‘ site clearance’ for the new Greenfield airport project at Kothagudem in Telangana. With this, Telangana is getting a second Greenfield airport.”