Kakinada: There is a possibility of an international airport coming up between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada in the Petro Chemicals and Petro Investment Region (PCPIR) between the two port cities. However, sources say the present Visakhapatnam airport has been upgraded and is being operated by the Navy and there is no possibility of further developing it in to an international airport.
“Therefore, the international airport would have to be built between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada for industrial development. Improving air connectivity is essential as the PCPIR is coming up between the two port cities,” said finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu who visited Kakinada for the first time, after assuming charge in the new government.
Speaking to the reporters here on Friday evening at the Telugu Desam office, he said that the airport in Madhurapudi in Rajahmundry would be expanded and linked with Kakinada port with an expressway and the national highway from Srikakulam to Tada in Nelluru district would also be widened to six or eight lanes.
He also said that a floating LNG project would come up at Kakinada Port to cater to needs of gas for power units and other industries in East Godavari District. The government has already cleared a LNG project at Visakhapatnam and the Kakinada LNG project would be an auxiliary to Visakhapatnam LNG Project.
All measures are aimed at strengthening infrastructure facilities to develop an industrial corridor along the coast from Visakhapatnam to Chennai. All 13 districts will be provided with fast track trains. He added that the East Godavari District would become a very developed district in Andhra Pradesh as it has vast resources and the government will utilize it.
In response to a question, Yanamala said there will be a deficit of Rs.15,000crore or so and the Union Government will help cover the deficit in the first year after bifurcation. However, he said that there is a need to extend assistance for another year to bear the financial burden of Andhra Pradesh.
He said that the government will honour all its promises made to the people of the state and it would also manage the finances of the state prudently, adding that there will be no problem paying salaries of government employees and meet other needs.
