The AP Government on Tuesday issued notification for land acquisition for the construction of a greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, 40 km from here. Vizianagaram Lok Sabha constituency is represented by Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapati Raju of the Telugu Desam Party.

The proposed airport has been in the thick of controversy ever since the Government announced its intention to construct the airport at Bhogapuram. Farmers and others in Bhogapuram mandal have been expressing their opposition to parting with their lands for their project. Initially, it was stated that nearly 15,000 acres of land would be required for the project but in view of the protests by the farmers it has been scaled down in stages to a little over 5,000 acres. It may prove to be difficult even to acquire those lands.

There is resentment in the villages and often revenue officials who visited the villages for land survey had to incur the wrath of villagers. However, the State Government seems to be bent on building the airport at Bhogapuram which after much consideration has been chosen to be the ideal spot.

The present airport in the city will no longer be adequate, as the city grows and there are constraints for any further expansion, as it is not suitably located. The terrain is not suited for expansion and it is surrounded by industries in the area. Therefore, Visakhapatnam needs an international airport at Bhogapuram or some other place and the State Government seems to have plumped for Bhogapuram in spite of the hurdles. Attempts are being made to persuade the farmers and others, as that would lead to all-round development of the area.

 

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