Newstrack

'More AP airports should be developed': Patel

Chetan Kapoor - Hyderabad

Looking at the success of first proving flights of Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways at the newly developed Rajiv Gandhi international airport in Hyderabad, Praful Patel, minister of state (Independent Charge), Ministry of Civil Aviation appealed Dr Rajasekhar Reddy, Andhra Pradesh chief minister to develop furthermore airports to fuel the state's economy.

"It is important for the state to develop Visakhapatnam as an international airport in the future. Rajahmundry airport should also be upgraded and night landing must be allowed at the Vijaywada airport. Joint ventures between the government of Andhra Pradesh and private partners will open up economic development of the state," remarked the minister at a press conference at the new airport.

The minister also regarded the new infrastructure policy to benefit the development of other new airports across the country, including those under the purview of the defence sector. "The development of 400-500 airports over the next 10-12 years will be a fillip to Indian aviation and states should also explore the possibility of developing multi-nodal airports with train connectivity as seen in many international airports," Patel mentioned.