Nellore Airport

Nellore Airport is a proposed greenfield airport project near Dagadarthi, India, intended to serve the Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. The airport is to be developed on 1,352 acres (5.47 km²) of land with an estimated cost of ₹368 crore (equivalent to ₹457 crore or US$55 million in 2023).

Nellore Airport నెల్లూరు విమానాశ్రయం Nellūru Vimānāśrayaṃ
IATA: none ICAO: none
Summary
Airport type	Public
Serves	Nellore
Location	Dagadarthi
Time zone	IST (+5:30)
Elevation AMSL	78.7 ft / 24 m
Coordinates	14°41′38″N 079°56′34″E
Website	apadcl.com
Map
Nellore Airport Show map of Andhra Pradesh Nellore Airport Show map of India

History

Planning

In 2008, the government of Andhra Pradesh invited for expressions of interest to develop eight minor airports in the state, including an airport at Nellore. Each airport was expected to cost ₹50 crore (equivalent to ₹139 crore or US$17 million in 2023). The airports were to be built in 500–600 acres (2.0–2.4 km²) with a runway length of 6,000 feet (1,800 m). The construction of this airport was chosen because Nellore is strategically situated between Vijayawada and Chennai, and Krishnapatnam Port is situated about 25 km (16 mi) from the city.^[1] However, AAI has rejected this proposal citing insufficient land available for the construction of the airport.^[2]

In 2013, Ministry of Civil Aviation had identified Nellore airport as one of the 50 locations across the country for low-cost airports to be built by the AAI. These airports would be built with bare minimum facilities for aircraft to operate, without compromising on safety and security.^[3]

In September 2017, the government of Andhra Pradesh solicited proposals for development of a no-frills greenfield airport at Dagadarthi under a public-private partnership. The development proposal by SCL-Turbo Consortium Pvt. Ltd. was accepted, along with the associated draft concession agreement and financial stipulations.^[4] The Arafath Group and ADP Ingénierie was to construct and operate the airport.^{[5][6][non-primary source needed]} SCL Turbo has formed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) Nellore International Airport Private Limited for the construction.^[7]

Construction

The airport was to be developed on 1,352 acres (5.47 km²) of land with an estimated cost of ₹368 crore (equivalent to ₹457 crore or US$55 million in 2023).^[8] The project had received all clearances and approvals from various agencies. As per the agreement, the financial closure for the project was to be achieved by December 2018.^[7] On January 26, 2018, during his Republic Day speech, the District Collector R. Mutyala Raju announced that the acquisition of land for the airport was nearly completed.^[9]

The foundation stone was laid by then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on January 10, 2019.^[10] However, the YSR Congress Party led government, which was elected in May that year, moved to review all the major decisions taken by the previous government.^[11] In August 2019, the new government terminated its contract with Nellore International Airport Private Limited to develop the airport. The government said it would complete the project by handing the airport over to the AAI.^[8] In July 2020, the government formally scrapped the concession agreement signed with the SCL Turbo consortium.^[7] Later in November same year, the government has invited fresh bids from national and international companies for the construction of the airport.^[12]

After the government approved the report on Dec 21st 2021, It's expected that the first phase work could start as soon as April 2022.

References

1. Chowdhury, Anirban (19 January 2008). "Andhra plans 8 small airports". Rediff India Abroad. Archived from the original on 3 May 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2021.
2. C.R., Sukumar (2 October 2009). "Andhra to invite bids for 4 airports with new incentives". Mint. Archived from the original on 4 April 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
3. Mukherjee, Sharmistha (5 July 2014). "Centre to focus on low-cost airports along tourist circuits". Business Standard India. Archived from the original on 7 October 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
4. "Dagadarthi airport works awarded to Turbo Consortium". The Hans India. 17 September 2017. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
5. "WELCOME TO ARAFATH GROUPS OF INDUSTRIES". ARAFATH GROUPS OF INDUSTRIES. Archived from the original on 25 September 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
6. "Design for a new greenfield airport at Nellore in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh | ADP Ingénierie". www.adp-i.com. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
7. P, Manoj (30 July 2020). "AP scraps Nellore greenfield airport contract awarded to SCL-Turbo consortium". The Hindu Businessline. Archived from the original on 28 August 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
8. "Airports Authority of India to develop greenfield airport in Nellore". The New Indian Express. 9 August 2019. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
9. "Foundation stone for Dagadarthi airport soon: Nellore Collector". The Hindu. 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
10. MN, Samdani (11 January 2019). "Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu lays foundation stone for new airport in Nellore". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
11. "Mass scrapping of ex-govt's decisions in Andhra unprecedented". Outlook. 22 August 2020. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
12. Bandari, Pavan Kumar (19 November 2020). "AP govt. invites tenders for Dagadarthi airport in Nellore district". The Hans India. Archived from the original on 19 November 2020. Retrieved 19 April 2021.