With the objections raised by the police to set up helipad at the interim secretariat of Andhra Pradesh government at Velagapudi village in Amaravati capital region, the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) is now searching for an alternate place.

The CRDA felt the need for helipad to facilitate Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s air transport facility. The Chief Minister has to travel by road to his office for the last few months. Police are also worried about the Chief Minister travelling by road since he is under NSG cover and forcing CRDA officials to search for alternative sites.

Very recently, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam also travelled to AP Secretariat by road from Gannavaram airport. Though the CRDA officials are seen in hurry to set up helipad for Chief Minister’s security, it is moving cautiously taking security aspects also into consideration.

The State police department declined permission for a helipad at Interim Secretariat Complex citing security reasons. Earlier, it was proposed at Secretariat complex in south direction. The police pointed out the need for 90 metres’ of open space as per standard regulations for setting up a helipad, which was not available at the present location.

CRDA officials admitted that present location was denied ‘No Objection Certificate’ from police department, so there are scouting for another site at Nelapadu which was recently earmarked for VIT University. This location is just one and half kilometre away from secretariat complex and likely a decision to be taken up soon.