In light of the ongoing fuel crisis in Andhra Pradesh, BJP MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju has made a sensational demand to the coalition government, urging them to prioritize public necessity over luxury projects. Expressing concern over the struggles of the common man due to petrol and diesel shortages, he suggested that the government should focus on immediate relief measures rather than long-term aviation infrastructure. His comments regarding the Bhogapuram International Airport have now sparked a significant debate in political circles.
Prioritize Fuel Over Infrastructure
Vishnu Kumar Raju demanded that the construction work of Bhogapuram Airport be halted immediately until the country’s fuel situation stabilizes. He emphasized that ensuring the availability of fuel for the general public is far more critical than building a new airport at this juncture. Furthermore, he advised the government to continue operations at the existing Visakhapatnam Airport as usual to ensure that passengers do not face any travel disruptions.
Shift to Electric Buses and Vande Bharat Trains
To tackle the diesel shortage, the MLA proposed a shift in the state’s transport strategy. He urged the government to introduce electric buses on a war footing to replace diesel-run vehicles. Additionally, he demanded the launch of new Vande Bharat Express trains connecting Visakhapatnam to major cities like Vijayawada, Tirupati, Hyderabad, and Chennai. He noted that improving public transport would naturally reduce the reliance on personal vehicles, thereby easing the overall fuel burden on the state and the nation.
Key Proposals by MLA Vishnu Kumar Raju:
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Immediate Halt: Stop Bhogapuram Airport construction to save resources during the fuel crisis.
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Modernization: Replace diesel RTC buses with a large-scale electric bus fleet.
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Connectivity: Increase Vande Bharat train services from Vizag to neighboring hubs.
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Status Quo: Maintain current Visakhapatnam Airport operations without diversion.
