Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will lay the foundation stone for the development of an international airport at Renigunta near Tirupati, stated Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.
After offering his prayers at the temple of Lord Venkateswara, Patel told reporters on Wednesday, that the Union Cabinet had approved upgradation of the domestic airport at Tirupati as an international airport.
“The move will help foreign airliners land in the temple town directly,” he said.
The state government would fix a date for the Prime Minister to inaugurate the airport, he indicated. The authorities acquired 736 acres of land for expanding the airport. Several flight operators have evinced interest to operate direct flights from New York, London and Dubai to Tirupati, he said.
“This will improve the connectivity to the temple town, which receives 60,000 pilgrims every day,” he pointed out.
The minister hoped the international airport would boost tourism and spur economic development of the region.