9-seater flights between Vijayawada-Nagarjunasagar on anvil 

Guntur: The Andhra Pradesh government in order to promote State tourism will be operating nine-seater flights from Vijayawada (Gannavaram) Airport to Nagarjunasagar airstrip daily from October.

• Flights to be operational from October
• Supreme Aviation Company will operate two services daily from Gannavaram to Nagarjunasagar

The Andhra Pradesh Airport Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) is making necessary arrangements for the commencement of flight operations on the route. The Supreme Aviation Company has come forward to operate two services daily from Gannavaram to Nagarjunasagar. It also applied for permission to the Airports Authority of India to this effect. The aviation company is waiting for time slot allotment.

According to officials, the company proposes to operate to and fro flight from Vijayawada to Nagarjunasagar and from Nagarjunasagar to Vijayawada. Tourists from Vijayawada could go to Nagarjunasagar and visit Nagarjuana Konda, Yettipothala. 

The APADCL is developing necessary infrastructure like waiting rooms for passengers at the airstrip. Officials said that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is interested in starting flight operations to historical Nagarjunasagar airstrip which was set up at the time of construction of the Nagarjunasagar Project for the convenience of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

The Chief Minister decided to develop Buddhist Circuit in the state to promote tourism. Buddhists from various countries are visiting Nagarjuanakonda, Dhyana Buddha Project and Buddha Museums in Amaravati. If the airstrip is developed, Buddhists from various countries could visit Nagarjunakonda and Amaravati, the sources said. 

Speaking to The Hans India, APADCL Chief Executive Officer Virender Singh said, “We will start nine-seater aircraft operations from Vijayawada to Nagarjunasagar in October. Existing runway in the airstrip is in good condition.”

Vijayawada Airport Director G Madhusudhan Rao said, “We will give permissions for night parking facility for the aircraft. The AAI will give necessary permissions. The state government is interested to develop the airstrip to operate flights.” 

AP Tourism Development Corporation executive director R Mallikarjuna said, “If Nagarjunasagar will get air connectivity, Buddhists from various countries will visit Nagarjunakonda, Dhyana Buddha Project and Buddhist places, as a result tourism will develop. Tourists will also see Yettipothala waterfalls and Nagarjunasagar Project. Similarly, places near Nagarjunasagar Project will also develop.”

For air travel, residents of Palnadu are going to either Vijayawada or Hyderabad. If flights are operated from Nagarjunasagar to Vijayawada, it will be convenient for them. NRIs, industrialists, businessmen, people’s representatives will use this facility. “At present, CEOs of several cement factories are visiting this place using road. If the airstrip will come into operation, they would prefer air travel,” Mallikarjuna said.