Naidu lays foundation for ₹202-cr expansion of Rajahmundry airport

The Andhra Pradesh government, with the assistance of the Union Government, will complete the first phase of the mega Polavaram project on the Godavari and release water even into the left canal by 2018, according to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

He was speaking here on Monday after laying the foundation stone for the expansion of the Madhurapudi airport at a cost of ₹202 crore. The runway would be extended to facilitate the landing of the bigger aircraft and the other facilities would be upgraded at the airport.

Land acquisition

The Chief Minister said 857 acres had been acquired for the airport expansion works and he thanked the farmers of the area for co-operating with the government.

He said ₹300 crore had been spent for land acquisition. Airport expansion works would pave the way for the development of the two Godavari districts, he said.

He said regardless of what the naysayers might say, he was determined to completing the Polavaram project and lay a firm foundation for the prosperity of the two Godavari districts in particular and the State in general.

Centre’s assurance

Union Civil Aviation Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju thanked the Chief Minister for making the land available in quick time and said the Union Government would take all steps to improve the airports in the State.

Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu spoke at length on the recent package sanctioned by the Centre for the State and how it would pave the way for its all-round development. He launched a scathing attack on the critics of the package, especially the Congress leaders.