Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju Bhogapuram International Airport in Andhra Pradesh on August 1, marking a significant milestone for the region’s development and connectivity.
The inauguration will be the second visit by a Prime Minister to Vizianagaram district in 43 years, with the first being by Indira Gandhi in 1983. The new international airport, developed by the GMR Group at an estimated cost of ₹4,750 crore, is built on 2,203 acres of land provided by the state government. This greenfield project is expected to enhance air connectivity in North Andhra, boost tourism, trade, and economic development, and ease pressure on the existing Visakhapatnam Airport.
The airport project was initially launched during the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government’s tenure in 2014 and has been expedited by the present NDA coalition government, with completion achieved within two years. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has emphasized that the Bhogapuram Airport will be a transformative project for North Andhra, creating new opportunities, accelerating economic activity, and improving the socio-economic conditions of the region.
Chief Minister Naidu conducted a high-level review meeting on Saturday, July 20, 2026, to oversee the final preparations for the inauguration ceremony. During the meeting, he directed officials to ensure that the event reflects Andhra Pradesh’s rich artistic and cultural heritage, with plans for folk art performances showcasing the traditions of North Andhra. Elaborate arrangements are being made for the inauguration and a public meeting, with parking facilities for approximately 6,000 vehicles across a 60-acre venue. Security arrangements have been meticulously planned in four sectors to ensure effective crowd and traffic management.
The development of the airport is viewed as a critical component of the broader Visakhapatnam Economic Region. The Chief Minister highlighted that the synergy between the new airport and other infrastructure projects, including highways, ports, and irrigation projects, will unlock significant employment and livelihood opportunities, driving unprecedented growth. He envisioned the Bhogapuram Airport playing a pivotal role akin to how Shamshabad International Airport transformed Hyderabad and its surrounding areas, bringing a similar transformational change to North Andhra.
Key officials, including Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu, state ministers, Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad, and Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta, attended the review meeting. Officials from the civil aviation department and GMR briefed the Chief Minister on the airport’s infrastructure, passenger facilities, and operational readiness, confirming that all eight required statutory clearances for commencing commercial operations have been obtained. Commercial flight operations are expected to commence shortly after the inauguration.
The Chenab Times News Desk