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Visakhapatnam, June 11 The representatives of Andhra Pradesh IT Association, AP Travel Agents' Association, Builders' Association and several other bodies have criticised the proposed restrictions to be imposed on the flights of civilian aircraft at Visakhapatnam airport from November, as "air connectivity is absolutely crucial to the development of a growing city like Visakhapatnam." The airport, it may be noted, is under the operational control of the Indian Navy.
Restrictions
They pointed out at a media conference here on Monday that during the past few years night landing facilities had been created at the airport and several other facilities like air cargo handling complex had also been set up to facilitate the fast growth of Visakhapatnam, and all these efforts would go waste if the Navy imposes restrictions on the operations of flights now.
O. Naresh Kumar, Vizag Development Council, said that the Navy should build an air strip at the alternative naval base coming up at Rambilli in Visakhapatnam district at a cost of Rs 300 or 400 crores for its exercises and spare the Vizag airport. "It will take at least four to five years for the new airport at Bhogapuram to be completed and till such time the present airport should be used to the fullest extent to spur the growth of the city. Without compromising on national security, it should be possible for the Navy to build an another air strip," he said and urged the State Government to take up the issue seriously. He said the matter would be taken the notice of Union Defence Minister Nirmala Seetharaman.
Tourism, IT sector hit
G. Sambasiva Rao, the president of the AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation. said the proposed restrictions would disrupt the operational schedules of several airways and international connectivity to Dubai, Singapore and Colombo would be affected. Tourism, IT and several other sectors would be hit. The Navy should give up on the proposals and find alternative solutions.
Ravi Eswarapu, an IT expert and the former president of the AP IT Association, said his company could get several orders from Colombo and Singapore during the past few months only due to international air connectivity. Navy restrictions would be a big blow to the growing IT industry in the tier-two city of Vizag.
Y. Sivasagara Rao, the former Chairman and Managing Director of the Visakhapatnam steel plant, and several others expressed similar views, urging the Navy to reconsider its decision.
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