Proposal for establishing a Greenfield airport at Kothagudem in Khammam district got a fillip when the Telangana Government asked RITES Limited to undertake further stages of project.
In a communication sent by the Secretary, Infrastructure and Investment department to RITES Limited Airports Division, Gurgaon, the State Government accepted the pre-feasibility report submitted by the latter and allowed it to take up further stages of the project.
The Government has identified land to an extent of 1,600 acres at Punukuduchelka village in Kothagudem mandal, which is 240 km (aerial distance) from Shamshabad airport.
The 67-page report submitted by RITES to the Government of Telangana makes a strong pitch for it in view of the industries as well as pilgrimage centres in the region were sure to generate air traffic demand. The report said: “The site identified for the proposed development of the airport is suitable being uncultivated/inhabited, having low tree cover, not falling in restricted defence airspace and has sufficient land to meet the ultimate development objective.”
The report said the site was found to be free of any major obstructions for all weather Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) precision approach operations. It was pointed out that initially, the airport could operate 50-70 seater aircrafts and development could be planned in phases. It was suggested that an area of 1,050 acre was needed for airport development.
RITES officials in their communication said that on acceptance of the pre-feasibility report, the next task was to get site clearance from Ministry of Civil Aviation and on acceptance of the recommended option, land acquisition had to be done.
It may be mentioned here that politicians are keen on getting a Greenfield airport at any cost. They point out that Sree Sita Ramachandra Swamy Temple at Bhadrachalam and Parnasala attract a lot of tourists and devotees. Singareni Collieries Company Limited, which has its headquarters in Kothagudem would be a big patron as over 1,000 officials are eligible to travel by air.
Presence of major industries in Palvancha, Kothagudem, Manuguru and Aswapuram are expected to generate air traffic. Senior executives of ITC Bhadrachalam, National Mineral Development Corporation, Sponge Iron unit may also avail the facility.
Police see it as a strategic airport that would help the security forces in using it as a hub for anti-insurgency operations.
