Congress activists from Tirupati, Renigunta and Srikalahasti in Chittoor district on Monday staged a dharna in front of the Tirupati International Airport near Renigunta demanding operation of international flights from the city to the Gulf and South East Asian countries, opportunities for locals and cancellation of permits to multinational transporters.
Former Union Minister P. Chinta Mohan, who led the protest, said though the airport was completed at a cost of ₹150 crore on 300 acres for operating international flights, neither the Centre nor the State government was keen on launching international services.
“The prime objective of the upgraded airport is to usher in development in the backward Rayalaseema region. More than 5,000 overseas workers from Kadapa, Chittoor and Nellore districts depend on Chennai and Hyderabad airports for travelling to the Gulf and the South East Asia. Like the government has been according priority to both Vishakapatnam and Vijayawada airports in operating international flights, it should also take initiative at the Tirupati airport by introducing biweekly services,” he said.
Opportunities for locals
Mr. Mohan said that though there were 100 outlets in the airport zone, not even a single shop was allotted to locals. He further demanded the cancellation of the permits to multinational cab services, and encouragement to local taxi operators from Renigunta, Tirupati and Srikalahasti.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Guntur meeting on Sunday, he said Mr. Modi had focused on political matters but was reluctant to see underdevelopment in Rayalaseema region.
He demanded that the Centre revive the Mannavaram BHEL project and the Srikalahasti-Nadikudi railway line and take up the Dugarajapatnam port.
“The development of the Rayalaseema region would be possible only if these vital projects are realised,” he said.
Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee APCC secretary Battaiah Naidu and Congress youth leader P. Siddaiah were present.
