Vijayawada: The state government on Saturday sanctioned funds for the development of the airport at Vijayawada, one of the frontrunners for the capital of the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh.
Infrastructure and investment department of the state government on Saturday sanctioned Rs 49.5 crores for the development of an airport at Gannavaram. This is also keeping in mind the huge NRI potential of the region.
The government had earlier decided to hand over 491.92 acre including private land of 433.27 acre in Buddhavaram, Aijampudi and Keesarapalli villages of Gannapravam mandal.
The lands are to be handed over to the Airports Authority of India free of cost for expansion and upgradation of the Vijaywada airport as per the MoU signed. The state has already permitted an outlay of Rs 110.91 crore for the acquisition of patta lands for expansion of airport under Phase-1.
Earlier, it had okayed another Rs 170 crore for expansion and development. A senior official at the airport authority said,“We already have 7,500 feet of runway after expansion.
As per the MoU signed, the state is supposed to acquire the land and give it to us. AAI is now working on plans to construct terminal buildings and other infrastructure. AAI will also release funds for the same. With the introduction of Delhi Mumbai flights, traffic has increased.”
