Mamnoor airport work to begin soon, says Union Minister Rammohan Naidu

Work on the airport will be completed in two and a half years and the entire task will be taken up by Airports Authority of India

HYDERABAD: Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Sunday that soon after the land acquisition was done, work on the Mamnoor airport would be completed in two and a half years and the entire task would be taken up by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The master plan was already prepared and the runway would be established to operate narrow-body aircraft. The airport terminal building would also reflect the Warangal’s rich history, heritage, and culture, he said at a press conference here.

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Union Minister G Kishan Reddy pursued the project and in the last eight months the long-pending clearances were secured from the Centre, he said. AAI had about 690 acres at Mamnoor Airport and there were two crisscross runways.

They were in a dilapidated condition and could not be put to use. The runways were 1800 metres and to operate narrow-body aircraft, 2800 metre runways were required, he explained, adding that an additional 280 acres were required.

“The State government should complete the land acquisition at the earliest and handover the same to AAI. The remaining works will be expedited from our end,” Rammohan Naidu said, adding that the State government had proposed a site for Bhadradri Kothagudem airport but after conducting a study, it was not feasible to construct the airport there.

Accordingly, another location was identified and an AAI team was sent to conduct a feasibility study on January 23 this year. The AAI team wanted data from the Indian Meteorological Department about the location, for which the State government was informed, he added.

“If the AAI approves the feasibility at the identified location, the Centre will take up construction,” he said, pointing out that all Metros like Bengaluru, Chennai, and New Delhi were pitching in for a second airport in their cities. Similarly, commercial operations at Begumpet airport would commence when the current airport’s capacity was met.

Seaplane proposal

On the possibilities of operating seaplanes, the Civil Aviation Minister said efforts were on to commence operations from April. In Telangana, there was a proposal to operate seaplanes on the Hyderabad-Srisailam route and it would be explored, he said.

There was also immense demand for airports in Tier II towns in the country. Apart from boosting travel and tourism facilities, construction of airports would spur economic development in the region. The State governments should realize this and work in tandem with the Centre, he added.

Regarding complaints over exorbitant charges being collected for snacks and food at the airports, the Civil Aviation Minister said under a pilot project a UDAAN Yatri café was set up at Kolkata airport.

A water bottle was being offered for Rs 10, samosa at Rs 20 and local sweets for Rs 20. A similar café was set up in Chennai as well and efforts were on set up such cafes in all the airports, he added.