Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said that world-class aviation infrastructure would be created in the State for reliable and seamless air connectivity to regional, national and international destinations by 2022.
Ahead of the inauguration of Orvakallu Airport on January 8, Mr. Naidu spoke to the officials concerned in a teleconference on Sunday.
Economic growth
He said the State would become a preferred destination for investors in the aviation sector by 2022 with the creation of world-class aviation infrastructure that would spur economic growth and generate jobs.
He said Rayalaseema would transform as the destination for industries and economic development with the new airport in Kurnool district. “The Orvakal airport will act as a lifeline for Rayalaseema and definitely attract global investors to the region, which is endowed by nature with valuable minerals and other natural resources. Besides, it will significantly reduce travel time for the people of Kurnool, especially after the commencement of commercial flights in the future to cities like Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru and Chennai etc,” he said.
He said development of administrative airstrips in Kuppam and helipads at district headquarters has been planned, he said. Principal Secretary I&I Ajay Jain said the Orvakallu Airport has been developed at a cost of ₹110 crore on 1,010 acres of area in a record time of 18 months.
He also said the airport is categorised as 3C and shall be capable of handling turboprop aircraft such as ATR -72, Bombardier Q-400 etc. The airport’s runway length is about 2,000 metres with four aprons for parking.