Visakhapatnam: In a welcome relief, the authorities of Eastern Naval Command (ENC), has hinted that it has no objections to the expansion of the Visakhapatnam airport, which also houses naval air station INS Dega.
Locals have been demanding that the Indian Navy shift its air station to NAOB as they were of the opinion that the expansion of the present airport is being hindered. However, in what could come as a disappointment for the locals, the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) seems to be in no mood to heed to their demand to shift the operations of the Navy.
“We don’t have any objections to the expansion of the airport. We extend full cooperation for that. However, at the same time, INS Dega is strategically located for our operations. We also need another air station for other operations that we are considering other places,” said a top ENC official.
Locals have been demanding the Indian Navy to shift its air station as they felt the expansion of the present airport at Vizag was being hindered due to the presence of the Navy. They opined that a world class international airport with more runways and 24/7 operations will help Vizag attract foreign investments to trigger the local economy. Such a demand gained significance after the AP Reorganisataion Act 2014 assured setting up international airports at Vizag along with Vijayawada and Tirupati.