The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has given the green light to Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL) to prepare the Terms of Reference (ToR) for seven water aerodromes in the state. This approval allows the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) process to begin and helps the AP Pollution Control Board advance the proposals. APADCL Managing Director C.V. Praveen Aditya told The Hindu that the expert appraisal committee of MoEF&CC agreed to the ToR preparation with certain conditions. Ten locations have been identified for these projects. Efforts to hold mandatory public hearings at the earliest are underway. No-objection certificates will be obtained wherever required, including from the Navy for the proposed Visakhapatnam site. The ToR will cover water aerodromes at Prakasam barrage in Vijayawada, Srisailam dam, Lambasingi, Rushikonda (Visakhapatnam), Kakinada, Jalaput (Sileru), and Gandikota. In addition, three more aerodromes are planned in Konaseema district, Tirupati, and Araku.