The Port Town of Visakhapatnam is making its way to have an International Airport soon.
Initial Plan
The idea to develop an International Airport in Vizag came way back during the Government of Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu. During January 1997, the then State Government announced its proposal to setup the International Airport with the help of private participation at a cost of Rs. 5 billion. The idea is a part of making Vizag as an 'International City' and the 'Capital City of the State'.
The proposal to build the International Airport is a part of the Vision 2020 as per which two new International Airports are proposed – one in Hyderabad and another in Visakhapatnam. The proposed Airport at Hyderabad is to cater to the West Asia while the Visakhapatnam one is to cater to East and South-East Asia.
The Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure Authority and the Department of Transport, Road and Building, Government of Andhra Pradesh have highlighted the importance of the development of the present domestic airport in the medium term before the development of the International Airport.
The Capital
As a part of the plan, a 10,000 feet runway has to be built and this costs Rs. 100 crores. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) will give Rs. 25 crores, the Department of Defense will give Rs. 50 crores while the remaining Rs. 25 crores will come from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Progress so-far
The contractors for the building of the run-way are short listed and the construction work is yet to start. The time-frame for the completion of the run-way is 3 years from the date of allocation of the project.
Identification of sites
Three site locations are shortlisted for the purpose of Visakhapatnam International Airport - one at Sabbavaram, another at Achyutapuram and yet another at Koruprolu have been for the purpose of setting up an International Airport at Visakhapatnam
