HYDERABAD: There seems to be no end to search for suitable land for building airports in Peddapalli and Bhadradri-Kothagudem as the Airports Authority of India (AAI) rejected sites proposed so far, citing terrain and technical constraints.
According to the state government officials, the proposal to build an airport at Jakranpally in Nizamabad district is not viable as the Adilabad airport lies within a 150-kilometre radius, limiting the project’s feasibility.
The AAI has conducted a pre-feasibility study for development of greenfield airport at the proposed site in Bhadradri-Kothagudem district in January 2025, following a request from the state government.
It is to be noted that any airport developer, including the state governments, are required to identify a suitable site as per Centre’s policy.
According to sources, there are limestone mines located near the proposed site. The AAI is learnt to have noted in its report that the site is not suitable for the construction of an airport.
Similarly, there are impediments in the Bhadradri-Kothagudem area where coal mines are located. This indeed led the AAI to withhold issuing mandated “site clearance” certificates for airports proposed at Peddapalli and Bhadradri-Kothagudem.
Speaking to TNIE, a top official in the civil aviation department said that they have instructed the district collectors to identify suitable locations for the airport as per the AAI regulations. He also said that the government has asked the Indian Air Force (IAF) to give a comprehensive master plan to execute Adilabad airport, and is currently waiting for the reply from IAF.
“The requirements for civil airports, and joint-user airports are different, and which is why we have asked IAF to give a plan. As soon as we get a master plan from IAF, we will start land acquisition,” he said.
The official also said that the works for Warangal’s airport would start within a month.