Plan to Develop Nagarjuna Sagar as a Water Aerodrome Underway

The Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation, VK Singh, has announced that the Nagarjuna Sagar water aerodrome has been identified under the UDAN scheme. A provision of Rs 20 crore has been made under the “Revival of unserved and underserved airports” scheme for the development of water aerodrome and seaplane operations. The Airports Authority of India has awarded 66 UDAN routes in Telangana so far, out of which 42 routes have been operationalised. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has released a policy for the promotion of helicopter operations across the country. This policy encourages the development of heliports by airport operators, state governments, and UTs. The Government aims to stimulate air traffic and enhance air connectivity through helicopters by facilitating helicopter operations across the country. Adilabad, Aleru, and Kagazpur airports/airstrips are available in the tentative list of the unserved airports in the UDAN Scheme document. Jakranpally, Palvancha, Mehbubnagar, Mamnoor, and Basantnagar airstrips are not listed in the tentative list of unserved airports in the UDAN document but may be included in the list at the request of the State Government of Telangana. The Minister did not provide a direct answer to a question on whether the Government of Telangana has allocated 950 acres of land for Warangal airport to be revived under the UDAN scheme. He stated that Warangal Airport was not on the tentative list of unserved airports in the UDAN document.