Jyotiraditya M. Scindia has written to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, and Chhattisgarh, requesting their personal intervention to instruct the concerned officers to initiate action for expediting the various matters like land allocation, deposition of funds with Regional Air Connectivity Fund Trust (RACFT), VGF support for International UDAN operations, etc. for strengthening of aviation infrastructure in the respective states.
AAI has embarked upon the development and expansion of airports in the country at a cost of Rs. 20,000 Crore in the next 4-5 years in order to meet the growing passenger demand in the country.
In the letter written to Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Shri Scindia has mentioned that the State Government has already handed over the quantum of land in most of the airports.
However, some portion of lands viz 14.31 acre at Tirupati required for extension of the runway and other operational requirements, 10.25 acre at Rajahmundry for construction of residential colony and 50 acres at Kadapa for extension of the runway and Approach Lighting System are yet to be handed over to AAI by the State Government.
In addition to that, the Minister highlighted that the diversion of the Eluru canal needs to be undertaken by the State Government for extension of the runway up to 4000 m at Vijaywada airport along with the approach lighting system.
Further, the Minister observed that an amount of Rs.14.64 Crore needs to be deposited with Regional Air Connectivity Fund Trust (RACFT) at the earliest by the Andhra Pradesh Government (20% of VGF share for UDAN flights till 31.07.2021 in the State).
The Minister stated, “State Govt may give their consent to provide 100% VGF support for International UDAN operations (Vishakhapatnam – Dubai). On receipt of the consent of the State Government for 100% VGF support, routes will be put to bidding for the airlines.”