Green signal likely for Bhogapuram airport soon

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Bhogapuram International Airport is now cruising towards take off as the expert appraisal committee (EAC) under the ministry of environment and forests has recommended the airport project for environmental clearance.
Following the EAC meeting, which was held on April 13 in New Delhi, the EAC has recommended the Bhogapuram project for clearance, as per the minutes of meeting released by the MoEF on Thursday.The recommendation by the EAC is for the phase-1 development of the Bhogapuram International Airport at an estimated cost of Rs 2,260.73 crore on an area of 2,004.52 acres in Vizianagaram district.
Sources said subsequently, the MoEF, based on the EAC recommendation, is likely to provide environmental clearance in the near future. Subsequently, the Bhogapuram International Airport Corporation Limited (BIACL) is expected to finalise the bids in the next couple of months for selecting the developer for the mega project.
“Once the official environmental clearance order is received, about one month or 45 days will be given for the prospective developers to submit their final bids for the Bhogapuram Airport project. We are expecting the bids to be finalised by June-end,” a state government source said on condition of anonymity.
Under the current proposal recommended by the EAC, the airport project will be developed to cater for operation of Airbus- A380 type aircraft. It will involve construction of new runway with facilities such as terminal building, apron, taxi track, perimeter roads and parking facilities. While the project site falls under the jurisdiction of six villages including Amatam Ravivalasa, Savaravilli, Gudepuvalasa, Kancheru, Kavulavada and Ravada, parts of three villages including Kancheru, Kavulavada and Gudepuvalasa will be displaced. The proposed airport site is around 45 kms from Vizag and 25 kms from Vizianagaram.
During construction phase around 1,100 man-power, 500 daily labourers, 500 residential labourers and 100 officials are likely to be employed whereas during operation phase it would include around 1,000 airport staff (500 regular and 500 on contract).
While the existing airport in Vizag is handling around 2 million passengers per annum, the prefeasibility report submitted to the environment ministry indicates that the 82% of the passengers originate from the city and district of Visakhapatnam, whereas the remaining are from parts of Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
OUT OF THE HANGAR
* Phase-I of Bhogapuram International Airport will be developed to cater for operation of Airbus-A380 type of aircraft
* An area of 2,004.52 acres (811.21 Ha.) has been earmarked for the Bhogapuram International Airport
* The tentative cost estimate for the project is around Rs 2,260.73 crore
* The Bhogapuram Airport Concept Plan proposed for the construction of a domestic airport for capacity of 3,395 peak hour passengers