Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said the State government will talk to local people and address their social and economic problems before going ahead with the land acquisition for the proposed international Greenfield airport at Bhogapuram in the district.
Speaking to mediapersons here on Monday, Mr. Raju said he was ready to allay fears of farmers.
Asked whether 15,000 acres was really needed for the airport, he said the idea was to provide maximum amenities to maximum number of air travellers besides cargo handling. “Though passenger traffic has improved marginally, handling cargo is literally zero. Recently, 12 freight carriers began operating from Bangalore. Farmers will benefit if perishable goods like vegetables and fruits are transported quickly.”
On feasibility reports, he said a report from Meteorological Department was awaited, adding, pollution aspect too was to be considered.
CPI opposes proposal
Meanwhile, CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna, who visited the Kavulavada and Thoodem in Bhogapuram mandal assured farmers that his party would oppose the airport project tooth and nail. The Chandrababu Naidu government, in the name of development, had proposed land bank with 10 lakh acres. “The TDP government is doing business with the lands of farmers in the State,” he said.
