The Chandrababu Naidu government has approved Rs 916 crore to complete the first phase of Dagadarthi Airport in Nellore. Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) will develop the airport through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
As part of its plan to build airports in all districts of Andhra Pradesh, APADCL started work on this greenfield airport at Dagadarthi. They expect a significant increase in passenger travel and cargo movement.
This development will benefit industries in Tirupati, Annamayya, Kadapa, Nellore, and Chittoor, said APADCL. The government has signed a 45-year contract with the company constructing the airport.
The investment will be adjusted based on passenger traffic and cargo over 15-year periods. The government expects demand to be low during the first 15 years, grow in the next 15 years, and peak in the final 15 years.
Initially, medium-range flights using Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft will operate on a single runway.
Between 2016 and 2019, the Chandrababu government secured all necessary approvals from environment, civil aviation, defence, and home ministries. However, work stalled after the government changed in 2019.
Chandrababu Naidu resumed the project personally after returning to power.
APADCL has now issued an international tender for the airport. A free bid conference is scheduled for October 10, and the last date to submit bids is November 3.
