**Executive Summary**
This report addresses Unstarred Question No. 131 regarding the development of airports in Andhra Pradesh, set to be answered on January 29, 2026. It provides updates on the pre-feasibility studies and site clearance proposals for airports at Tadepalligudem, Kuppam, Srikakulam, and Ongole, referencing the Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy. The State Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) are the key parties involved.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Airport Development Status:**
* AAI has conducted pre-feasibility studies for proposed airport sites at Kuppam, Srikakulam, and Ongole, based on GoAP's request.
* GoAP requested AAI to conduct a pre-feasibility study for the Tadepalligudem site in January 2026, and AAI has sought requisite details and site data from GoAP.
* GoAP has submitted proposals seeking site clearance for Kuppam and Srikakulam under the GFA Policy; these proposals are under consideration.
* **Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy:**
* GFA Policy (2008) places the responsibility for airport project implementation, including land acquisition and funding, on the airport developer or the State Government.
* Completion timelines depend on factors like land acquisition, mandatory clearances, and financial closure.
* No greenfield airport is allowed within 150 Km of an existing civilian airport unless a case-by-case impact examination allows it.
* For Greenfield airports, the project proponent submits proposals for 'Site Clearance' and 'In-Principle' approval to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
* **Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN):**
* Existing unserved and underserved airstrips are developed and operationalized through a demand-based bidding mechanism.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for providing details and site data for the Tadepalligudem airport pre-feasibility study, and potentially for the implementation of Greenfield airport projects. GoAP has also submitted proposals seeking Site Clearance for proposed airports.
* **Action Required:** GoAP needs to respond to AAI's request for details and site data for the Tadepalligudem pre-feasibility study. Continue to work with AAI regarding existing site clearance proposals for Kuppam and Srikakulam.
**Stakeholder: Airports Authority of India (AAI)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for conducting pre-feasibility studies and evaluating site clearance proposals for proposed airports.
* **Action Required:** AAI needs to conduct the pre-feasibility study for Tadepalligudem once the required details and site data are received from GoAP. Continue to evaluate the site clearance proposals submitted by GoAP for Kuppam and Srikakulam.
**Stakeholder: Project Proponents (for Greenfield Airports)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for submitting proposals for site clearance and "In-Principle" approval to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
* **Action Required:** Submit a proposal for 'Site Clearance' and 'In-Principle' approval to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Key Entities Referenced
Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy: Policy governing the development of new airports.
Andhra Pradesh: Indian state where the proposed airport development is planned.
Ministry of Civil Aviation: Indian ministry responsible for civil aviation policies and regulations.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): Agency conducting pre-feasibility studies for the proposed airport sites.
Regional Connectivity Scheme/Greenfield Airports Policy: Policy for promoting secondary airports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 131
th
(To be answered on the 29 January 2026)
DEVELOPMENT OF AIRPORTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH
131. SHRI P V MIDHUN REDDY
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government has approved or granted in-principle clearance for the
proposed airports at Tadepalligudem, Kuppam, Srikakulam and Ongole in Andhra
Pradesh and the size (acreage) of land acquired or proposed for each of these airports;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the timelines fixed for feasibility study, land
acquisition, release of central funding and commencement of first phase of
construction and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the details of the policy in place for promoting secondary airports under the
Regional Connectivity Scheme/Greenfield Airports Policy and the manner in which
these sites qualify?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b): Based on the request of State Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP),
Airports Authority of India (AAI) has conducted Pre-feasibility study for proposed
airport sites at Kuppam, Srikakulam and Ongole. In January, 2026, GoAP requested
AAI to conduct Pre-feasibility study for Tadepalligudem site for which requisite
details along with site data have been sought from GoAP by AAI.
GoAP has submitted proposals seeking Site Clearance for proposed airports at
Kuppam and Srikakulam, as per Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy. These proposals
are under consideration.As per the GFA Policy, 2008, the responsibility for implementation of the Greenfield
airport project including land acquisition, R&R, funding etc. lies with the concerned
airport developer or the State Government, as the case may be. The timeline for
completion of the airport projects depends upon many factors such as land
acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure etc.
(c): No greenfield airport is allowed within an aerial distance of 150 Km of an
existing civilian airport, in terms of GFA Policy, 2008. It may however be allowed
after examination of its impact on the existing airports, on a case to case basis.
In case of greenfield airport, the project proponent submits the proposal for 'Site
Clearance' and 'In-Principle' approval to Ministry of Civil Aviation.
In case of RCS-UDAN, existing unserved and underserved airstrips are taken up for
development and operationalisation through a demand based bidding mechanism.
*****