Vijayawada: Chief Minister N. Chadrababu Naidu has elicited the details related to the progress of the proposed greenfields airports at Bhogapuram (Viziana-garam), Dagadarthi (Nell-ore), and Orvakallu (Kurnool) during a teleconference on Tuesday. The CM has expressed satisfaction over the completion of terminal works within one year. With the sole objective of promoting civil aviation sector in the state in a big way, the tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) has been reduced to 1 per cent thereby increasing viability of airlines to operate from AP, the officials infor-med the Chief Minister.
The state, which has been implementing dedicated aviation policies for development of airports, the major drivers for economic growth and investments, employment generation has set a record as the fastest growing state in civil aviation sector with 44 per cent growth in air passenger traffic, principal secretary Ajay Jain has informed the Chief Minister.
Significantly, the Visakha-patnam airport is poised to cross two million passengers in 2016-17, while 76 per cent passenger growth is observed in Vijayawada. To cater to the increasing passenger traffic in lieu of new state capital, new airport terminal was constructed at Vijayawada, which will act as an interim terminal before the International terminal is built.
The Chief Minister Mr Naidu and Union minister for civil aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju will inaugurate the new terminal on January 12 at Vijayawada airport. Mr Ajay Jain has informed that the New Inte-rim Terminal at Vijayawada is developed at a cost of Rs 135 crore. The terminal capacity increased from 100 PHP (Peak Hour Passengers) to 500 PHP, while runway length and width are 2,286 m X45 m (7500ft. X 150 ft.) which is suitable for handling A-320, A-321 type of aircraft. Night landing facility and operations are also available. The Vijayawada Airport currently handled about 4.5 lakh domestic passengers and 8,342 domestic aircraft movements for the period April to November 2016.
The growth in passengers and aircraft movements was about 76% and 86%. Regular terminal works at Vijayawada with international standards are to be taken up at approximately Rs 600 crore.
