: The Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation on Monday wrote to the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India, emphasising the need for direct flight service between Vijayawada and Puttaparthi.
Federation executive director P. Bhaskar Rao in the letter mentioned that Puttaparthi is world famous for its association with Sri Sathya Sai Baba and every year, millions of devotees throng the town which has an airport. He said Puttaparthi is also visited frequently for health care and education purpose with the existence of premier Sathya Sai institutions.
Mr. Rao said Anantapur district has potential for development as it is located close to Chennai and Bengaluru. He said Vijayawada and Anantapur are not well connected by road, travel time is around 11 hours.
Having a direct flight would help the increasing number air passengers between these two places who are now using the Bengaluru airport, he added.