Kurnool Marks Historic First: AP's Flight Academy Opens, Ganesh Festival Ends, Tremors Felt
Kurnool recorded a landmark occasion on September 27-28, 2026 as Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's first DGCA-certified Flight Training Organisation at Kurnool Airport. The same weekend saw the city conclude its Ganesh Chaturthi immersion peacefully, report mild seismic activity, and welcome a new high-powered EV charging station — signs of a city active across multiple fronts.
🎓 AP's First Flight Training Organisation Opens at Kurnool Airport
Andhra Pradesh's first Flight Training Organisation was inaugurated at Kurnool Airport, marking a milestone for aviation education in the state. The Orient Flights Aviation Academy, established by the Hindustan Group at a cost of approximately Rs 100 crore, was opened by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu. The facility is designed to meet international training standards in compliance with Directorate General of Civil Aviation norms. The academy currently operates three training aircraft with plans to expand the fleet to ten. Kurnool's strategic location and favourable flying weather make the site well-suited for flight training, and the facility is expected to train up to 60 pilots annually while generating related employment in the region. The opening was welcomed as part of the central government's broader push to increase the number of Flight Training Organisations across India, addressing a longstanding shortage of domestic pilot training capacity. The land for the academy was allocated by the coalition state government shortly after it assumed office. [1]
🪔 Kurnool Diocese Priests Complete Five-Day Spiritual Retreat
Priests of the Kurnool Diocese renewed their spiritual commitment during a five-day retreat, according to a report by Radio Veritas Asia. The retreat brought together clergy to engage in prayer, reflection, and renewal of their pastoral commitments. Events of this kind are a regular feature of the Catholic Church's calendar in India and serve to deepen the spiritual grounding of priests who minister to communities across their respective dioceses. The Kurnool Diocese serves a congregation spread across parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and its priests play a role in supporting Catholic communities in the region. The five-day programme provided participants with structured time for contemplation away from their daily parish responsibilities, enabling them to return to their communities with renewed focus. The retreat was described as an occasion for spiritual deepening and for reinforcing the bonds of the priestly community within the diocese. [3]
🪔 Ganesh Idol Immersion Concludes Peacefully in Kurnool
The immersion of Ganesh idols at the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi was completed peacefully in Kurnool, according to The Hindu. Processions carrying idols to designated immersion points took place across the city without incident, with authorities having deployed additional personnel to manage crowds and ensure public safety throughout the festival's final day. Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most widely celebrated Hindu festivals in Andhra Pradesh, drawing large numbers of devotees into public spaces for processions, prayer, and the ceremonial immersion of clay idols in rivers, tanks, or artificial pools. The peaceful conclusion was welcomed by city officials and community leaders. Advance preparations by the police and civic administration, including designated immersion sites and traffic management arrangements, contributed to the smooth conclusion of the celebrations. The event brought together participants from across Kurnool's neighbourhoods in a communal expression of faith and festivity. [7]
Mild Earthquake Tremors Cause Brief Alarm in Kurnool
Kurnool experienced mild earthquake tremors of magnitude 3.5, causing brief alarm among residents before the situation was assessed as posing no immediate danger to life or property. The tremors were felt across parts of the city, prompting people to step outside their homes and buildings temporarily as a precaution. Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh sits within a seismically active zone and has historically recorded occasional low-to-moderate magnitude tremors. Authorities and seismological monitoring agencies assessed the event and indicated that the tremors did not reach the threshold that would cause structural damage under normal building standards. Residents reported the shaking lasting only briefly. While no injuries or significant damage were reported, the incident served as a reminder of the geological conditions underlying parts of the Deccan region. Authorities advised the public to remain calm and follow standard safety protocols during seismic events. [9]
🏢 ThunderPlus Deploys 120 kW EV Fast Charger in Kurnool
Electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Kurnool received a boost with the deployment of a 120 kW fast charger by ThunderPlus, an EV charging solutions company. The installation adds high-capacity rapid charging capability to the city, enabling EV users to significantly reduce charging time compared to standard units. Kurnool's inclusion in ThunderPlus's expansion reflects the company's strategy of building out charging infrastructure in secondary cities across Andhra Pradesh and the broader southern India market as EV adoption increases beyond major metropolitan areas. The 120 kW fast charger can serve multiple vehicle types and is positioned to support both private EV owners and potentially commercial fleet operators in the region. The deployment is part of India's broader push to develop EV charging infrastructure in tier-two and tier-three cities, reducing range anxiety and making electric vehicles a more practical option for residents outside large urban centres. [10]
Sources: [1] Indian Aviation News Net · [3] Radio Veritas Asia · [7] The Hindu · [9] Deccan Chronicle · [10] Energetica India Magazine