Amaravati: The State government is taking steps towards realising the dream of Orvakal Airport which is expected to boost the economic scenario in Rayalaseema region within one year.
The government has given administrative sanction for works of Orvakal Airport worth Rs 88.5 crore under packages 1 and 2 under public private partnership (PPP) model. The Chief Minister laid foundation stone for airport works on June 21 and the project has to be completed within nine months from the date of award of contract.
Bhogapuram International Airport Corporation Limited (BIACL), which is the project proponent for development of other greenfield airports at Dagadarthi (Nellore district), Orvakal (Kurnool district), Donakonda and Nagarjunasagar airports along with Bhogapuram Airport, requested the State government to accord administrative sanction for package-1 and 2 works.
Tenders were invited for package-1 works for an amount of Rs 62 crore and after due process of bidding, M/s KCVR Infra Projects Private Limited, Hyderabad, expressed interest for the package-I works to be executed at a cost of Rs 52.35 crore at 4.59% less than the estimated cost for the development of Orvakal Airport.
Also, tenders were invited for package-2 works of Orvakal Airport at an estimated cost of Rs 26.50 crore. After due bidding process, M/s Standard Infratech India Private Limited submitted bid at 2.16% less than the estimated contract value of Rs 23.06 crore which was approved by the BIACL Board.
Ministry of Civil Aviation approved the Orvakal airport in August 2015 with a cost of around Rs 120 crore along with other low cost airports, such as Nellore Airport and Bhogapuram Airport under PPP model as greenfield airports.
The State government is willing to allot 2,000 acres for establishment of Orvakal Airport and 1,010 acres of land has already been procured. The airport will feature a 3,500-metre runway and a terminal building focusing on domestic services.
Orvakal airport will be developed as a low cost airport model. The airport is expected to handle 81,000 passengers per year and increase to 1.45 million passengers per year by 2045.
It is expected that general passengers and businessmen of Kurnool district and other areas in Rayalaseema region, who go either to Hyderabad or Bengaluru airports to travel to other places will be benefited with the Orvakal airport. Even Ministers from Amaravati now have to go to Bengaluru airport to tour in Rayalaseema region.
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