The Hindu Business Line : Rs 45-cr scheme to prevent Vizag airport flooding

Tenders will be finalised by the end of September and work will begin in October on construction of two flood canals to prevent the inundation of the Visakhapatnam airport, according to the State Commercial Taxes Minister, Mr K. Ramakrishna. The scheme, estimated to cost roughly Rs 45 crore, is to be completed in 18 months.

Mr Ramakrishna was speaking here on Monday after the conclusion of a district-level meeting with officials and engineers to discuss the problem of frequent inundation of the Visakhapatnam airport, which is being modernised and upgraded at a cost of Rs 200 crore.

The Minister told presspersons that the State Government was aware of the need to solve the problem, as "the airport is absolutely crucial to attracting investment to Vizag and developing it as a modern industrial city. The Chief Minister too has left clear instructions on the matter."

Detailed study

He said the Water and Power Consultancy Services had conducted a detailed study and submitted an interim report on the technicalities regarding the handling of surplus water discharged from the Meghadrigedda reservoir. The construction of a mini reservoir to store the excess water was also under consideration.

The Minister said that earlier this month when the airport was flooded, flights could be restored within two days. Last year, and on earlier occasions too, the airport operations used to be disrupted for weeks together.

Prof R.V. Rama Rao of the Institute of Development and Planning Studies expressed the opinion that the airport should be relocated as there was no scope for expansion and "the growing city of Vizag requires a bigger and more reliable airport."

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