CRDA plans CM helipad at Nelapadu

Amaravati: The Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) is searching for a new location to set up helipad near Velagapudi village in Amaravati capital region for Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s air transport facility.

The State police department declined permission for a helipad at Interim Secretariat Complex citing security reasons. Earlier, it was proposed at Secretariat complex in south direction.

Actually, as per the rules, 90 metres’ of open space is necessary for setting up a helipad which was not available at the present location.

The CM has to travel by road to his office for the last few months and recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Panneerselvam also travelled to AP Secretariat by road from Gannavaram airport. Police are also worried about the CM travelling by road since he is under NSG cover and forcing CRDA officials to search for alternative sites.

Confirming it, CRDA Additional Commissioner Mallikarjuna admitted that present location was denied ‘No Objection Certificate’ from police department, so there are scouting for another site at Nelapadu which was recently earmarked for VIT University.

He said that the location is just one and half kilometre away from secretariat complex and said that decision would be taken up soon.