CM asks GMR to plan second runway at RGHIA

GMR Group hands over dividend cheque

HYDERABAD:25/11/2013:Rare sight big bird all set to touch-down and another taxing on runway to takes off engulfed with fog at the Shamshabad International Airport on the Hyderabad Suburbs early hours Monday. Winter fog made it difficult in the morning to travel on the roads in state capital motorists use headlights owing to poor visibilityPhoto: Mohammed_Yousuf

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has asked the GMR Group to consider developing a second runway in the Rajiv Gandhi Hyderabad International Airport (RGHIA) besides extending the existing terminal in view of the increase in rush of passengers.

The Chief Minister wanted the airport to be developed on par with international standards along with an airport city with all facilities while efforts should be made to extend the Hyderabad metro rail project till the airport.

The city was turning out to be a major venue for international conferences and meetings and hence, steps should be taken to construct a convention centre with capacity to accommodate 12,000 people.

The State Government was prepared to extend its support for the developments and he himself would be present at the ground breaking ceremony of the proposed airport city. The Chief Minister held a review meeting with senior officials and GMR Group representatives on the proposed extension works of the international airport.

GMR Group chairman Grandhi Mallikarjuns Rao presented a cheque of ₹12.28 crore to the Chief Minister towards the Government’s share of the dividend (13 %) from the airport’s earnings. The GMR representatives told the Chief Minister that the airport which started operations in 2008 was among the top airports and it had also topped the list on IT services and other facilities.

Growth rate

As many as 400 flights were operating everyday from the airport and 1.7 crore passengers were using the airport every year. Telangana which registered 7 % growth in the past had reached growth rate of 20.4 % after formation of the new State and this was set to increase further in the coming days.

The existing runway and terminal would serve 2.5 crore passengers, but the authorities felt the need to construct another terminal and second runway in view of the ever increasing growth, they said assuring that the second runway would be completed in three years for which they needed the Government’s support.

The Chief Minister, who agreed to the suggestion, said the city witnessed a rush in the air traffic owing to several international conferences being held here as also the law and order situation that was being maintained. The GMR airport authorities should extend the infrastructure in such a way that the airport was capable of meeting requirements for passenger rush of 5 crore a year. The proposed airport city should enhance the brand image of the city.

“I will personally come and lay the foundation stone for the airport city and will also participate in the decennial celebrations of the airport,” he said and directed . He wanted the officials concerned to take up works like widening the roads. leading to the airport, providing sanitation, power supply and other related amenities.