Central Support for Airport Expansion, Seaplane Project Sought
Janardhan Reddy said the state government was according priority for strengthening aviation infrastructure.
Vijayawada:Minister for investments and infrastructure, BC Janardhan Reddy on Thursday met civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi and sought early central support for AP’s new airports, seaplane services, heliports and aviation projects.
Janardhan Reddy said the state government was according priority for strengthening aviation infrastructure. The government aimed to establish an airport within every 150-km radius across the state.
The two ministers reviewed proposals relating to new airports, expansion of regional and interstate air connectivity, development of flight training organisation (FTO) clusters and measures to attract investments into the aviation sector.
They also discussed the creation of dedicated airspace near Puttaparthi for flight-testing activities of the Aeronautical Development Agency, along with the required regulatory clearances.
The AP minister proposed the development of water aerodromes at 10 locations across rivers and reservoirs to introduce seaplane services. He also sought central support for developing helipads under the public-private partnership model.
The discussions also covered joint ventures under the regional connectivity scheme, development of local airports and future aviation infrastructure, including vertiports.
Janardhan Reddy said the state aimed to develop AP as a hub for aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), aviation training, logistics and allied industries.
Later, Janardhan Reddy met power grid corporation chairman Burra Vamsi Rama Mohan at the corporation's headquarters in Gurugram and sought CSR support for infrastructure projects in Banaganapalle constituency in Nandyal district.
He requested a CSR assistance of Rs 4.95 crore for the construction of a retaining wall along the Jurreru stream to prevent flooding during the monsoon and Rs 2 crore to arrange medical equipment for the Banaganapalle government hospital.
According to the minister, the Power Grid CMD responded positively and promised support for the projects proposed under the corporation's CSR initiatives.
Janardhan Reddy assured the corporation of the state government's cooperation for its expansion projects and invited it to invest in infrastructure ventures in Andhra Pradesh.