Date:17/07/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/07/17/stories/2003071705980300.htm

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

TDP seeks daily flight to Tirupati

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JULY 16. The Telugu Desam Party has urged the Centre to start/increase the frequency of flights connecting various cities in the State including a daily service linking the temple city of Tirupati to Chennai and Hyderabad.

In his communication to the Civil Aviation Minister, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, the TDP Parliamentary Party leader, K. Yerrannaidu, sought a daily flight connecting Hyderabad and Chennai to Tirupati, which at present is a thrice a week service. He also sought a direct flight between the port city of Visakhapatnam and Delhi, since the present arrangement connecting the city via Bhubaneswar four days a week was not convenient. Alternately, he suggested the present service be extended to all seven days of the week.

The TDP leader also said that even though the airport at Rajahmundry was complete, there were no flights connecting the city to Vijayawada and demanded that the service be started at the earliest.

Referring to the airport work at Visakhapatnam, he said the work was progressing at a slow pace. The construction work has resulted in the cancellation of private flights due to lack of space. In view of this, he urged that the Centre direct the authorities concerned to complete the project at the earliest.

The TDP leader also sought special flights to Rajahmundry connecting various cities between July 28 and August 12, in order to cater to pilgrims who wish to travel for the Godavari Pushkarams, held once in 12 years.