Synopsis: Andhra Pradesh is investing in its aviation infrastructure with a series of greenfield airports, under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme, to boost air connectivity in the region. This article discusses the projects that are expected to enhance connectivity, tourism, logistics, investment and more.
Andhra Pradesh is poised to mark a huge leap in its aviation infrastructure with several greenfield airports in the planning phase under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme. These airports are distributed across strategic districts to enhance the air mobility system in the region, attract more tourism and trade, and make air transport more affordable in less-served areas.
What is the UDAN Scheme?
UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) is the Government of India’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), established in 2016 by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to promote affordable air travel and connect under-served and un-served regions. Under the scheme:
- Greenfield, brownfield and revived airports can be developed or upgraded in the region.
- Airlines are assigned particular routes in a bidding process.
- Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is used by airlines to provide funding for routes that might not be commercially viable.
- The scheme also enables advanced landing grounds, water aerodromes and heliports to be developed in remote areas.
It is important to point out that all the airports under UDAN are not UDAN airports. Under the scheme, in some instances, only selected routes or flights from the larger commercial airport are flown.
Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport (SPSR Nellore)
The SPSR Nellore airport is the most advanced of the upcoming UDAN airports in Andhra Pradesh, the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport. The airport takes up approximately 1,370 acres and is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP-DBFOT) model and is expected to cost approximately ₹648 crore, the selection of the developer is in the tendering process. The airport, situated close to Krishnapatnam and Ramayapatnam ports, will cater to passenger and cargo flights, bolstering logistics and industrial linkages in the area. It is planned to be operational by 2028 once it has been constructed in a timely manner.
Ongole (Prakasam District) Greenfield Airport
The proposed Ongole Greenfield Airport is at the stage of Techno-Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) and is being built by the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Ltd. (APADCL) under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme. The cost, area and commissioning time of the project have not yet been finalized, but the airport will boost connectivity for Prakasam district, which is home to granite, tobacco, aquaculture and agricultural industries.
Palnadu District’s Nagarjuna Sagar Greenfield Airport
The Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Ltd. (APADCL) is planning the proposed Nagarjuna Sagar Greenfield Airport, which is also in the Techno-Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR) stage and falls under the UDAN scheme of regional connectivity. It is likely to have a great impact on the accessibility to the Nagarjuna Sagar reservoir, the city of Nagarjunakonda.
Srikakulam (Palasa) greenfield airport
The Andhra Pradesh government is backing the construction of a new Srikakulam Greenfield Airport at Palasa under the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). 500 acres of the project will be used for industrial purposes in addition to the airport to draw investors and create jobs. While it is expected to boost connectivity in the north coastal region of Andhra Pradesh, particularly for the cashew processing and aquaculture, an official completion date has not been announced yet.
Bhogapuram International Airport (Vizianagaram district)
Some regional flights and routes from Bhogapuram will continue to run under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme whereas the airport will be developed under the Greenfield Airports Policy by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) handled by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd. (GVIAL). The airport will cover an area of 2,203 acres and a Phase I investment of ₹4,592 crore, and is expected to open by 2026. It will be used as an international gateway for Andhra Pradesh, and then international service with increase in passenger demand to other major cities in India.
Challenges with Greenfield Airports
- Large scale land acquisition: Greenfield airports tend to need huge tracts of virgin land, which may involve the purchase of farmland and private property.
- Loss of plantations & livelihoods: In Srikakulam (Palasa) villagers have voiced their objections to the project, fearing that plantations of coconut, cashew and other horticultural crops may be lost and hence their livelihoods.
- Environmental impact: requires extensive environmental clearance as land is cleared which can impact on vegetation, biodiversity and local ecosystems.
- Rehabilitation and compensation: The families affected by land acquisition must be fairly compensated and be provided proper rehabilitation, which can be a challenge.
- Project delays: Legal issues, environmental approvals, funding problems, and land acquisition may cause construction delays and result in higher project costs.
- Development and sustainability: The governments should ensure that the development and expansion of connectivity and economic growth are not at the expense of environmental conservation and local livelihoods.
Conclusion
With the ongoing expansion of the greenfield airports network in Andhra Pradesh, the region can look forward to a future with enhanced connectivity and connectivity potential and contribute to long-term economic growth. Collaborated together, these projects will help make air travel more accessible, boost tourism and logistics and present new business and community opportunities throughout the state.
