Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district on Saturday, August 1, 2026. This marks the launch of Andhra Pradesh’s first greenfield international airport since the state’s bifurcation in 2014. The project, developed under a public-private partnership by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited, cost over ₹5,640 crore and is designed to handle six million passengers annually in its first phase, with plans for future expansion to a capacity of 40 million passengers per year.
During his visit, Prime Minister Modi also dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stones for multiple development projects valued at over ₹17,900 crore. These initiatives span various critical sectors, including aviation, semiconductor manufacturing, road connectivity, power transmission, and youth development, aimed at bolstering regional connectivity, industrial growth, and public infrastructure.
Key Projects Inaugurated and Foundation Stones Laid
The newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is projected by the state government to be a significant growth driver for the North Andhra region, fostering industrial development, employment, exports, skill development, and research. Commercial flight operations are scheduled to commence on August 17, 2026.
Among the industrial projects, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the ASIP Semiconductor Project at Visakhapatnam, an initiative being developed with an investment of over ₹460 crore in partnership with APACT, Republic of Korea. This facility is Andhra Pradesh’s first semiconductor manufacturing plant approved under the India Semiconductor Mission and is expected to produce approximately 96 million semiconductor chips annually, creating high-skilled employment opportunities.
In the power sector, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Transmission System for integration of the Kurnool-IV Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Phase-I, a project by POWERGRID with an estimated cost of ₹5,550 crore. He also inaugurated transmission systems linked to wind and solar energy zones in Kurnool and Ananthapuram, involving substantial investments aimed at integrating renewable energy into the national grid and supporting India’s energy transition.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for National Highway projects valued at over ₹1,880 crore. These include stretches of NH-365BG, the Tadipatri Bypass on NH-67, and a high-level bridge at Lingasamudram on NH-565, which are expected to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel times, ease congestion, and enhance road safety.
Economic and Regional Impact
The collective package of projects underscores the government’s focus on infrastructure-led development and balanced growth across key regions. The investments in aviation, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, and infrastructure are anticipated to enhance competitiveness, improve connectivity, generate employment opportunities, and support long-term economic development in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the airport’s potential to transform Uttarandhra and expressed his commitment to completing other flagship projects like Polavaram by 2027 and the first phase of Amaravati by 2028.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan, and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu. A performance of the traditional Dhimsa dance by approximately 13,500 tribal women was also a notable feature of the event, which reportedly set a Guinness World Record.
The Chenab Times News Desk