He has been at the forefront of the development of Gannavaram airport for the last five years. Now, the airport has reached a stage where it is poised to be transformed into an international one in the next few years, thanks to its proximity to Guntur and Vijayawada where the capital of Andhra Pradesh is likely to come up.

He will play a key role in developing the airport on par with international standards. An action plan has also been chalked out in coordination with elected representatives from the region to achieve the goal.

Meet B.G. Patil (56), a native of Bidar in Karnataka, who has been striving to develop the airport on all fronts ever since he took charge as Project In-Charge in June 2009. He supervised runway strengthening works and the construction of the taxiway and apron.

The works taken up at a cost of Rs. 50 crore were completed within the stipulated time. Installation of the landing system equipment, tower automation and surveillance systems were some other projects executed under his supervision.

As the terminal was congested, extension works were carried out for the convenience of passengers. Conveyer belts were placed for baggage loading at the arrival counter. For night landing facility, simple approach lightings were installed on both sides of the runway. “With the assistance of senior officials, we took a series of steps to develop the airport,” says Mr. Patil.

While Mr. Patil was serving as Project In-Charge, orders came from the headquarters in New Delhi in October 2012, informing that he was appointed as Director of Gannavaram airport. He is also in charge of project and maintenance works at Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam airports.

“We are striving hard to improve facilities here,” Mr. Patil says. A blueprint is being prepared in-coordination with local MPs and MLAs for developing Gannavaram into an international airport, he adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by M. Srinivas / Vijayawada – June 10th, 2014