CPI(M) opposes move to shut Visakhapatnam airport

Speaking at a protest organized by the party in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, CPI(M) Visakhapatnam district secretary M. Jaggunaidu alleged that efforts were being made to close the airport in the city and termed the move as detrimental to the interests of the district.

Serving passengers for over six decades, the airport serves nearly 30 lakh passengers annually and supports tourism, transport services and thousands of livelihoods in the region, he said.

Mr. Jaggunaidu maintained that the closure of the airport would inconvenience travelers and negatively impact families dependent on airport-related activities.

He also urged governments to keep Visakhapatnam airport as a domestic airport while developing Bhogapuram as an international airport.

Speaking on the occasion, CPI(M) district secretariat member B. Gangarao alleged that the State government had struck a deal in favor of the private operator of the Bhogapuram airport project and that passengers would face higher travel expenses and user charges if services were shifted entirely to Bhogapuram.

Party leaders also questioned the failure of elected representatives from the region to take a stand on the issue and called on the public to join protests against any proposals to halt services at the existing airport.