While all of Andhra Pradesh and especially Visakhapatnam awaits the development of the Greenfield International Airport at Bhogapuram, the Air Travellers’ Association of India opposes the move. The President of Air Travellers’ Association D Varada Reddy reportedly stated that crores of rupees was being spent to set up an international airport on agriculture land.
A letter stating the same was addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. The letter states that the ‘overenthusiastic Andhra Pradesh government’ was attempting to remove the international airport present now. They are snatching away the livelihood of farmers by taking away thousands of acres of agriculture land at Bhogapuram.
D Varada Reddy further stated that the present airport technically meets international standards and directions have come in to extend the present airport by 150 meters on either side. The directions come in from the Airport Authority of India.
He suggested that the Bhogapuram Airport could be built to cater to the needs of citizens of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam if need be. Recently, the Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment and Forests recommended the airport for environment clearance. The CM asserted that the Bhogapuram airport is touted to be even bigger than the airport in Hyderabad.
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