The temple town of Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is likely to get an international airport as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation of the development work of the airport next month.  The existing domestic airport at Renigunta in Tirupati also got the approval of the union cabinet. The development of the airport into an international one will allow international airlines to enter in the town. Under the new development plan, a new integrated terminal building will be set up.

 

About 736 acres of land is supposed to be acquired for the expansion works. Informing about the construction plan, Tirupati MP Chinta Mohan stated that the new terminal building will be designed keeping in mind the shape of Garuda, the eagle associated with Hindu god Vishnu. After the completion of the development work, direct fight services from New York, London and Dubai will be operated. The international status of the Tirupati airport will improve the connectivity of the temple town.

 

Tirupati is famous for Lord Venkateshwara temple. Every day, about 60,000 pilgrims visit the town. Devotees from all around the world visit this richest temple town of the country. According to Chinta Mohan, the international airport will expand tourism and boost economic development of the region. Under the development plan, the existing terminal building which handles 300 passengers will be expanded to accommodate about 700 passengers. Apart from it, the existing 7,500-foot runway will also be extended to 11,000 feet.