Rajahmundry airport to get global tag

Rajamahendravaram: Following the initiative taken up by the state government, the developmental works including expansion of runway has been completed and even big cargo aircraft like C-17 can now land at Rajahmundry airport. Similarly, bigger flights from New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Tirupati and Shirdi can also be operated without any problem.

Speaking to The Hans India, Airport Director M Raj Kishore said that at present SpiceJet, Indigo and Jet Airways are operating as many as 16 services from Rajahmundry to Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore with full occupancy.

The existing runway has now been expanded to 10,540 feet (3,185 metres) from 5,827 feet (1,750 metres) and has a width of 45 metres along with safety shoulders on both sides of the runway with 7.5 metres. Runway work was executed from 10 pm to 7 am due to operation of flights in day time for nine months. With this, the airport has achieved the distinction of having bigger runway than that of the Gannavaram airport.

Once the airport is declared as international airport and big cargo flights start operating, it will give great boost to tourism as well as export of aqua products, vegetables, flowers, coconuts, fruits and paddy products. Oil majors such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Reliance, Cairn Energy and many industries in and around the district will also be able to use the airport. 

Kishore said the expansion and developmental works were taken up at a cost of Rs 181 crore in 1,230 acres as against of earlier 368 acres. As part of it, 17 km length of roads were laid in the airport with fencing, an Isolation Bay (which is important for landing of big craft and also to keep other flights), construction of new aprons (parking place), 22 injection wells both sides of the runway for the re-cycling of water, 22 stormwater drains and air bridges to walk up to the flights directly instead of going in buses from terminal point are also ready. Night-landing facility is already available at the airport.

Necessary permissions relating to the safety of the runway are yet to be obtained. Cargography survey was completed to fix the height of constructions adjacent to the airport and the respective chart will be sent to airports across the world. 

Similarly, the chart having the details of runway safety, apron, terminals, parking and cargo required for the landing of big aircraft will also be shared. Airport Director said last year about 3.5 lakh passengers used this airport and the number may be now go up to five lakh.