Telangana Approves ₹205 Crore for Warangal Airport Development After GMR's NOC.

The Telangana government has sanctioned ₹205 crore for acquiring over 280 acres of land to develop Mamnoor Airport in Warangal. This decision follows the issuance of a "No Objection Certificate" (NOC) from GMR Group, which manages Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, clearing the way for the aerodrome's operations.

As per a government order (GO) issued on Sunday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had proposed in July 2022 to develop Warangal Airport to accommodate A-320 type aircraft under instrument flight rules (IFR) operations. The AAI committed to covering infrastructure costs, operations, and maintenance but required 253 acres of additional land from the state, free of cost and encumbrances.

The state government has now directed the District Collector of Warangal to expedite the acquisition of 280.30 acres for the airport's development and to allocate 253 acres to the AAI for expanding the runway.

According to the concession agreement between GMR Group and the Ministry of Civil Aviation, no new or existing airport within a 150 km aerial radius of Hyderabad Airport can be upgraded or developed into a domestic or international airport until 2033, marking the 25th anniversary of Hyderabad Airport. However, Mamnoor Airport, located about 175 km by road from Hyderabad, qualifies under the agreement.

The government has instructed the District Collector to conclude land acquisition proceedings promptly, ensuring smooth progress for the project. The development of Mamnoor Airport is expected to boost connectivity and economic activity in the region.

HBL