The Hindu Business Line : MP promises to develop Vizag airport

AGREEING that expansion and modernisation of Visakhapatnam airport is a pre-requisite for the development of the port city and for attracting more investment, Mr N. Janardhana Reddy, member of the Lok Sabha representing the city, has assured the people that he will make all efforts towards achieving it.

He was addressing members of the Air Passengers' Association of India , Visakhapatnam branch, here on Sunday.

"The airport was flooded repeatedly due to the recent rains and it was closed for a fortnight. I attempted in vain to land here four or five times during the period.

"It is a matter of shame that Vizag does not have a proper airport and I have apprised the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Prafulla Patel, of the problem and all steps will be taken to prevent the closure of the airport in future," he said.

He said the State Government was also taking steps to construct mini reservoirs to store the floodwaters of Meghadrigedda reservoir and prevent the inundation of the airport.

He said the airport expansion work was in progress and night landing facilities would also be created.

In response to the plea from members for more flights from Visakhapatnam to Kolkata and other metros, he said he would strive to achieve it.

However, when the question of the new international airport being planned here came up for discussion, he was non-committal.

"It seems the Chief Minister had made a statement on the issue and I do not want to say anything at this juncture without studying the implications," he said.

Earlier, Mr D. Varada Reddy, President of the association, submitted a memorandum to Mr Janardhana Reddy listing the demands.

The association sought more flights to different cities, setting up of an air cargo complex and improvement of infrastructure at the airport.

Prof. R.V. Rama Rao, of the Institute of Planning and Development Studies, and several others pleaded for locating the proposed international airport in the vicinity of Vizag, not more than 20-30 km away. Otherwise, it would not serve the purpose.

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