Demand rises for operation of international flights from AP: CM Chandrababu Naidu

Amaravati: Expressing confidence over operation of international flights from Gannavaram airport in the capital city Amaravati region, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that the occupancy of Singapore flights from the airport has reached sustainable level and the demand has been increasing. While releasing seventh White Paper on ‘Energy and Trunk Infrastructure including Capital City Amaravati’ at Undavalli in Guntur district on Saturday, Naidu said AP will be developed as a preferred destination.

He further explained that the demand had increased for international flights from Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and other airports in the State. The Chief Minister said that though the Central government refused to operate direct flights from Gannavaram airport near Vijayawada, the State government took the initiative and promised the flight operator to provide viability gap funding.  He clarified that since the operators got sufficient passenger rush, there was no need to give the viability gap fund. He also added that demands for direct flights to Dubai, Shanghai and other destinations had come up so far.

He said the capacity of airports and size was being expanded including runway length and terminals to accommodate larger aircraft of Code D and E, that is Boeing 787, A 321 and others. Passenger movement at AP airports enhanced to 5.5 million from initial 1.1 million. Connectivity to other cities in India increased from 7 to 15. Growth rate achieved in aviation sector over the last four years is 38% in comparison to national growth rate of 12%. The State currently handles 1.7% of the total passenger traffic in India and stands at number 2 in terms of largest number of operational airports in the country. He said 51,300 air traffic movements were recorded last year. In all, 4,000 jobs had been created in the airports in AP.

Approximately 1.2 per cent revenue is being contributed to the State GDP by the aviation sector. Civil aviation policy was introduced in 2015. Though necessary lands were allotted for expansion of airports, the Central government has been causing hurdles to flight services. “We are unable to operate international services from Tirupati and Vijayawada due to indifferent attitude of the Central government,” he added. 

On power sector: Chandrababu Naidu said AP bagged number one position in power sector with the reforms introduced earlier. He said as part of second phase of reforms, priority was given for renewable energy including solar and wind energy.  Stating that AP will be developed as a preferred destination, he said AP bagged number one position in power sector with the reforms introduced earlier. He said as part of second phase of reforms, priority was given to renewable energy including solar and wind energy.  The Chief Minister said that in June 2014, the State had a deficit of 22.5 million units per day. The cost of solar power per unit was Rs 6.50 in 2014 and it came down to Rs 2.70 per unit at present. He said the renewable energy sector recorded a growth of 22 per cent. Naidu said 31,725 solar pumpsets were set up so far. He said solar parks were set up in Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool with a producing capacity of 4000 mw of power. 

World’s biggest solar park with 1,000 MW capacity was set up in Kurnool district. He said over 36,604 people got employment opportunities in renewable energy sector.  The Chief Minister said Rs 6,030 crore was released towards subsidy to energy sector during 2018-19. The energy sector bagged 137 awards. He said smart power grid system was introduced to localise power distribution. The State has significantly shifted from being a power deficit State to a power surplus. Installed capacity: The installed capacity in the State has increased by 100% during the last four-and-half years, from 9,529 MW to 19,080 MW. APGENCO has added 2,250 MW during the period. Krishnapatnam Super Critical Thermal Power Station (2x800 MW), RTPP Stage IV (1x600 MW) and Nagarjunasagar Tail Pond Hydel Station (2x25 MW) have been commissioned.

Coming to marine cargo transport, AP reached 173 million units in sea cargo transport. He said steps were taken to develop Bhavanapadu, Kakinada, Machilipatnam and Ramayapatnam ports. He said the State government has been providing internet facility to each house through AP Fibrenet. He said Jakkampudi would be developed as Finance City.  He said Amaravati would be developed as world-class Blue and Green City. He said the Amaravati city needs Rs 51,000 crore in first phase and Rs 50,000 crore in second phase for development.  He said R&B roads were developed at a stretch of 2,400 km.