Major Boost for Telangana Aviation: Defence Ministry to Lead Adilabad Airport Development
In a significant development for Telangana's aviation infrastructure, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu announced on Wednesday that the proposed airport in Adilabad will be developed with the Ministry of Defence serving as the nodal agency. This marks a crucial step forward for the long-pending project that has been under consideration for years.
Joint Inspection and Project Timeline
Minister Naidu revealed that a joint team comprising officials from the defence and civil aviation ministries, along with representatives from the Telangana state government, will conduct an inspection of the airport's designated 300-acre land parcel on April 17. This collaborative assessment will pave the way for subsequent development phases.
"Once the joint team files its report, we will prepare the detailed project report within the next two to three months," Naidu stated during a press conference in Delhi alongside Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy. "After that, we will lay the foundation stone, but the state government also needs to provide land parcels. They have agreed to cooperate with land procurement."
Defence Ministry's Comprehensive Role
The defence ministry's involvement extends beyond mere oversight. According to the announcement, the ministry will also operate a training facility at the Adilabad airport site, while the civil aviation ministry will manage the civilian terminal operations. This dual-use model represents a strategic approach to infrastructure development.
"We held a review meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, state government officials, and representatives from the civil aviation ministry," Naidu explained. "The defence minister assured us that he would fully support the project to build an airport in Adilabad. Having a training facility will provide a significant boost to the project."
Operational Model and Aircraft Capacity
Drawing parallels with other defence-linked airports across India, Minister Naidu clarified that the operational model would maintain separation between civilian and defence functions. The airport is planned to initially accommodate A320 Airbus aircraft, indicating its potential to serve regional and potentially national air routes.
Broader Aviation Infrastructure Vision
The announcement aligns with the central government's ambitious aviation expansion plans. Naidu reiterated India's goal to scale up from the current 165 airports to over 356 airports by 2047. As part of this vision, plans include introducing Udaan cafes across airports nationwide to enhance passenger experience.
Feasibility Assessments for Other Telangana Airports
While the Adilabad project moves forward, feasibility reports for other proposed airports in Telangana have yielded mixed results. Minister Naidu revealed that the feasibility study for Peddapalli airport returned positive findings, suggesting potential for future development. However, the proposed airport in Kothagudem did not meet viability criteria, indicating that project prioritization will be based on thorough assessment.
The Adilabad airport development represents a collaborative effort between central and state governments, with the defence ministry's involvement expected to accelerate implementation while ensuring strategic value beyond civilian aviation needs.
