AP: Panel Sets Dasara Deadline to Complete New Vijayawada Airport Terminal

Vijayawada:The Airport Advisory Committee on Thursday unveiled an ambitious roadmap for expansion of the Vijayawada International Airport, setting Dasara as deadline for completion of the long-pending new terminal building, pressing for direct international flights to Dubai and Sri Lanka, and enhancing domestic connectivity.

The committee, which met at the Gannavaram Airport under the chairmanship of Machilipatnam MP Vallabhaneni Balashowry, reviewed infrastructure projects, passenger amenities, air connectivity, and road access to the airport.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni), AP government whip and Gannavaram MLA Yarlagadda Venkata Rao, Airport director Lakshmikant Reddy, and senior officials attended the meeting.

Balashowry pointed out that the centre has appointed a new contractor for the new terminal project. Since then, work has progressed rapidly. The new terminal building will be completed by Dasara, or by November.

The MP disclosed that the committee has proposed direct flights to Sri Lanka. It has sought introduction of Emirates services to Dubai. This would provide global connectivity to the US, Europe, and Africa, while benefiting thousands of NRIs.

Balashowry said the proposal has been taken up with union Civil Aviation minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu.

Further, he sought additional flights to Varanasi, Kochi, Kolkata, Goa, and Mumbai, including morning and evening services to Mumbai. He revealed that a detailed project report is being prepared for a seven-km four-lane road linking the airport with the Vijayawada West Bypass, which is expected to significantly reduce travel time to Amaravati, Guntur, and Hyderabad. The proposal will be pursued with union Road Transport and Highways minister Nitin Gadkari.

Addressing the meeting, Kesineni Sivanath said the state and the centre are working together to accelerate the airport's development. He sought more flights to Kochi, Surat, and Ahmedabad.

Yarlagadda Venkata Rao demanded early resolution of issues related to families displaced by the airport. He maintained that irregularities in land record under the previous YSRC regime had led to the issues. He proposed an alternative road via HCL Road, estimated to cost ₹37.70 crore, which would reduce travel time to Amaravati by 15–20 minutes. He wanted early development of the sanctioned 45,000 sq. m green corridor from the airport to Ramavarappadu.