Rajamahendravaram airport to get facelift as patronage increases.

Being located at equi-distance from both Amaravati and Visakhapatnam and proximity to the proposed industrial corridor, Rajamahendravaram is seeing increased growth prospects. The passenger traffic too is increasing by the day.

Keeping in mind the growth prospects, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to develop the airport in all respects.

Last year, there were 13000 passengers during this quarter, while this year, the number has gone up to 26,000.

The AAI assessment is that the air traffic will further increase once the two ports come up in Kakinada. Further the Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ), proposed petro corridor and existing oil majors like the ONGC, Reliance Gas, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and GAIL are also drawing air passengers in a big way.

According to airport officials, runway expansion is underway to facilitate the landing of jumbo flights. Similarly, more aprons are being constructed to park more flights, Emergency landing facility is also being developed. At present, works worth S187 crore are under progress and the officials have sent proposals for additional funds. The airport security has already been taken over by the Special Protection Force (SPF) in view of the increased VIP movements. Night landing facility is also available at the airport and talks are on with various airliners to connect Rajamahendravaram with Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkatta and Visakhapatnam shortly.

THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS