Andhra Pradesh Panchayat Raj Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu said that the naval authorities were objecting to the proposal to develop an international airport at Atchuthapuram near Visakhapatnam citing security concerns.
Talking to reporters in AP Assembly lobbies on Monday, he said that an alternative location at Bheemunipatnam was being looked into in view of the objections from naval authorities . He said that more than 1,400 acres was available at Bheemunipatnam for the proposed airport and an expert committee from the Union Government had recently visited various places to identify suitable location.
He said Atchutapuram would have been ideally suited for international airport as it was centrally located. The Minister said that building a modern international airport at Visakhapatnam was a prime requisite as tourists always complained about lack of adequate connectivity to the port city.
He said the government has also identified another 1,300 acres at Bheemunipatnam for allotment to the film industry. He said there was lot of scope for Visakhapatnam to be developed into financial capital of Andhra Pradesh.
Regarding the proposed NTR Srujala Sravanti scheme to provide 20 litres water at Rs.2 to each family from October 2, Mr. Patrudu said that 20 companies have come forward to implement, including one from the Tata’s group. He said the companies have also suggested to the government not to enhance electricity tariff for seven years for the mineral water plants.
He said the Cabinet would take a decision on the companies to be entrusted with the project and also on their request on power tariff.
