Officials of the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the GMR Group have taken up a joint survey of the lands at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, where construction of an international airport will soon commence. The survey is likely to be completed soon.
The State government has acquired 2,203 acres, but the construction activity will begin only after handing over the land to the GMR Group.
The company has already said that it will construct the airport at an estimated cost of ₹4,592 crore. The group has reportedly approached banks for loans, and is keen on achieving financial closure as early as possible.
According to sources, the entire extent of land has to be in the company’s possession to complete the loaning process.
Keeping this in view, the company has accorded priority to undertake joint survey of the lands.
Officials of the Airport Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh have also been monitoring the process, as overcoming initial hurdles is necessary for the construction activity to begin.
District Collector S. Nagalakshmi told The Hindu that all the officials were directed to speed up the joint survey programme and complete the handing over of the site to the company as soon as possible.
Approach road
“We have acquired land for the approach road that is needed between the actual airport site and the National Highway-16. Steps are also being taken up to provide required infrastructure such as water and electricity,” Ms. Nagalakshmi said.
The Champavati river is located near the airport region. The Union government is also planning to construct a dedicated road between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram at an estimated cost of ₹6,300 crore, a portion of which will be borne by the State government.
This road is vital as a majority of the travellers will come from Visakhapatnam city and surrounding districts to the airport.
MRO unit
The government officials have indicated that the Aviation Academy and the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) unit will also be established adjacent to the airport in the near future. These two projects are necessary for the creation of employment to more number of youngsters of the region.
