Polls keep Begumpet airport busy

Hyderabad, April 1: The defunct Begumpet airport is back in action thanks to the elections.

The airport is sought after by many leaders as they travel on helicopters to different places for campaigning.
Leaders such as Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chiranjeevi, Allu Aravind, K. Chandrasekhar Rao and Vijayashanti are are among those who frequently use helicopters to travel.
The airport is likely to witness brisk activity for the next few days as several leaders including Congress president, Mrs Sonia Gandhi, BJP leaders, Mr L.K. Advani and Narendra Modi, are all set to land in Hyderabad.
Begumpet airport director, Mr R.K. Singhla said around 10 movements were reported every day.
“The airport is witnessing brisk activity with the movement of flights and helicopters regularly.” he added.
The TD president, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Wednesday, went to Tirupati on a chartered flight along with his wife Bhuvaneswari and party leaders to seek the blessing of Lord Venkateswara.
He returned to Hyderabad in a short while to concentrate on party activities. “Time factor is very important during the election period. So, spending Rs 20 to 30 lakh during this period on travel is not a big issue” said a TD leader.
Praja Rajyam leader Allu Aravind has travels between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam on a helicopter.
Allu Aravind is contesting from Anakapalle Lok Sabha seat.
However, civil society groups have raised their concerns about these expenditures.
“The election commission and income tax department should probe on the expenditure incurred by political parties,” said Dr Jasveen Jairath, the general secretary of Concerned Citizens, a city based non-governmental organisation.