The Hindu : Front Page : 3 airports in State to be expanded

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Feb 15, 2007
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3 airports in State to be expanded

Special Correspondent

MoU signed on better facilities in Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Tirupati

PACT INKED: Executive Director of AAI Inderjit Singh (left) and Managing Director of A.P. Aviation Corporation K.V. Brahmananda Reddy exchanging copies of MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy in Hyderabad on Wednesday. 1; Photo: Mohd. Yousuf

HYDERABAD: The Airports Authority of India and the State Government entered into an agreement in the presence of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Wednesday for expansion of Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Tirupati airports.

Dr. Reddy asked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to have a roadmap for the expansion programme. Insisting on maintaining time-schedules for completion, he said: "We are a little worried that the AAI is not being very proactive. With the delay in execution of the expansion of Mysore airport after signing the MoU, we are apprehensive about the pace of work." He wanted the AAI's master plan for Vijayawada airport to be readied within a month so that land could be acquired.

AAI Executive Director Inderjit Singh and Managing Director of A.P. Aviation Corporation K.V. Brahmananda Reddy signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). A new terminal building to handle 300 passengers (now only 100 can be handled) would be built in Vijayawada airport while providing scope for future expansion. The existing 5,000-foot runway would be strengthened and extended to 7,500 feet to facilitate the landing of Airbus 320/321 and other wide-bodied aircraft. A Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range (DVOR) navigation aid would be provided there.

Business model

In Rajahmundry, a new terminal building to handle 150 passengers (now the capacity is just 10) would be constructed. Night-landing facility and DVOR would be provided. These three facilities would cost Rs. 23 crores. Plans were being finalised to acquire additional land for the future expansion.

In respect of Tirupati airport, the Chief Minister asked the AAI to furnish the land requirement. The AAI suggested that a business model with a budget hotel for pilgrims within the premises of the airport could be worked out so as to meet the cost.

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