Latest news with #VijayawadaInternationalAirport
New Indian Express
15 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Aviation University may be set up in Visakhapatnam
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has suggested exploring the possibility of establishing a Civil Aviation University in Visakhapatnam. He underscored the need to enhance flight connectivity from airports in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam to various cities in India and abroad. Chairing a review meeting at the State Secretariat on Wednesday, he reviewed the progress of Vijayawada International Airport terminal construction. Minister for Civil Aviation K Ram Mohan Naidu, senior ministry officials, and the Chairman of Airports Authority of India participated in the meeting virtually. Naidu instructed that the terminal's architectural design be visually striking and unique. He directed the airport authorities to ensure that various components like the terminal elevation, departure and arrival blocks, and passenger lounges reflect Andhra Pradesh's rich cultural heritage. Elements such as Kuchipudi dance, Kondapalli toys, Amaravati emblems, and Lepakshi art should be incorporated into the design, Naidu said.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Consider establishing Civil Aviation University in Visakhapatnam: Naidu
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has suggested to officials to consider establishing a Civil Aviation University in Visakhapatnam. Chairing a meeting to review the progress of construction terminal buildings at the Vijayawada International Airport, at the Secretariat on Wednesday (June 11, 2025), Mr. Naidu emphasised the need to improve connectivity from the airports in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and other locations to various domestic and international cities. Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, senior Ministry officials, and Chairman of the Airports Authority of India attended the meeting virtually. The Chief Minister instructed that the design of the terminal buildings at the Vijayawada airport be attractive and unique. He issued instructions regarding the construction of the terminal building, ramp connectivity to the national highway, etc. 'The terminal elevation, departure and arrival blocks, and passenger lounges should reflect Andhra Pradesh's cultural heritage in their design. Traditional dance forms such as Kuchipudi, Kondapalli toys, Amaravati motifs, and Lepakshi artworks should be incorporated into the architectural design,' he said. Mr. Rammohan Naidu also briefed the Chief Minister on the progress of the terminal building construction in Kadapa and Rajamahendravaram. He said technical feasibility reports were underway for new airports at Dagadarthi, Kuppam, and Palasa. Regarding the Amaravati airport, a land survey was in progress. A report from the RITES team was expected soon. Once the land pooling process was completed, the project could be initiated in two years. Operations at the Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam airports have increased by 40%. Airline operators are coming forward to enhance domestic connectivity from airports in Vijayawada, Tirupati, Rajamahendravaram, and Kurnool. TruJet has expressed interest in operating flights from Visakhapatnam to various locations starting October. Additionally, flights between Vijayawada–Singapore and Tirupati–Muscat are expected to commence soon. Seaplane operations are also scheduled to begin after September. The Union Minister said that Qatar Aviation Fund was showing interest in investing near the Bhogapuram airport, a press release said.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Detailed investigations underway into fire mishaps near PM's convoy, Amaravati venue
VIJAYAWADA/GUNTUR: Investigations are underway into two fire incidents that occurred during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Amaravati on May 2 to relaunch the capital city construction works. The incidents, which raised concerns due to their timing, were reported near Vijayawada International Airport (Gannavaram) in Krishna district and Venkatapalem village in the Amaravati capital region. The first fire broke out near Buddavaram, close to the Gannavaram Airport, just as the Prime Minister's aircraft was preparing to land. Later that evening, another blaze erupted near the meeting venue in Amaravati around the time when PM's helicopter took off, triggering plumes of thick smoke in both cases. At Gannavaram, preliminary findings suggest the fire was likely accidental. Gannavaram Circle Inspector Siva Prasad said it may have originated from dry gum arabic (Tumma) bushes covering over five acres. 'Around 100 construction workers were in the area. A discarded cigarette or matchstick could have ignited the fire,' he said, confirming that all possible causes are being examined.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Time of India
Police intensify probes into twin fires ahead of PM visit
1 2 Vijayawada: Police intensified investigations into two separate fire incidents that occurred on Friday. One incident involved the burning of high-value infrastructure pipes near Venkatapalem in the Amaravati capital region, and the other occurred near the Vijayawada International Airport in Gannavaram, raising security concerns ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. Guntur SP Satheesh Kumar visited the site near Venkatapalem where pipes belonging to a private company were gutted in a massive fire. Accompanied by Thullur DSP T Muralikrishna, the SP inspected the charred remains and collected preliminary evidence. Addressing the media, he revealed that the pipes, made of silicon HDPE and intended for laying 133 KV underground power lines as part of Amaravati's capital development works between 2014 and 2019, were stored at four locations—two of which were completely destroyed in the blaze. The estimated loss is pegged at Rs 9 crore. "We are investigating whether the fire was accidental or a deliberate act of sabotage. Forensic samples have been collected, and the matter is being probed from all possible angles," SP Satheesh Kumar said. Meanwhile, police also launched a separate in-depth probe into a fire incident near the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower at the Vijayawada International Airport, which occurred just an hour before the Prime Minister's flight landed on Friday afternoon. Thick smoke from the blaze reportedly drifted across the runway, triggering concerns about aviation safety. Ajjampudi Village Revenue Officer (VRO) Vemuri Kamala filed a complaint regarding the fire near the newly built integrated terminal. Gannavaram police registered a case and initiated an investigation. Krishna District SP Gangadhara Rao and DSP Srinivasa Rao, along with forensic experts, visited the site, examined CCTV footage, spoke with residents and airport security personnel, and began collecting technical and environmental evidence. Officials confirmed that both cases are being treated with utmost seriousness, given their proximity to critical infrastructure and the sensitive timing coinciding with the Prime Minister's visit.
