The State government has reportedly shelved the proposal of constructing a regional airport at Etcherla in the district as the distance between Etcherla and Bhogapuram, where a Greenfield airport has been proposed, is only 47 km. As per the rules of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, the distance between two airports must be at least 150 km. In fact, the government has conducted an initial survey for the project at Etcherla six month ago. Many locals welcomed the proposal anticipating development in and around the Srikakulam, and Etcherla has seen appreciation of land values since then.
“The government may not consider Etcherla airport proposal, though the initial survey has been done. There is no follow up action from the higher-ups so far . So, the airport proposal is almost ruled out,” said a senior official.
