PM to inaugurate Bhogapuram Airport today

Will address a public meeting from 11.30 am to 12.55 pm

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district on August 1. Built at a cost of nearly Rs 5,000 crore, the airport is expected to transform North Andhra by boosting connectivity, industry, tourism and exports.

According to the official schedule, Modi will arrive from Delhi at 10:45 am, where he will be received by Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

The state government said the airport has been developed to international standards as part of its vision to position Visakhapatnam among globally competitive cities. It described the project as a catalyst for industrial growth, employment, exports, skill development and research. The airport is also among the fastest-completed greenfield international airports in India, finished nearly five months ahead of schedule.

The airport has already secured the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aerodrome licence along with all mandatory safety, fire and environmental clearances. In its first phase, it is designed to handle six million passengers annually, with a master plan to expand capacity to 40 million passengers.

Developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, the integrated project spans 2,703 acres. Besides the airport, it includes an aviation hub, Aviation University, EduCity, commercial and residential zones, and supporting infrastructure.

A major feature is its 3,800-metre Code-E runway, capable of handling wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner and Airbus A330. The terminal is equipped with modern passenger processing systems, contact boarding bridges, self-service baggage facilities, smart surveillance and an integrated operations control centre.

The airport will also strengthen North Andhra's export ecosystem through a 25,000-metric-tonne annual cargo terminal with cold-chain facilities for pharmaceuticals, marine products and other perishables. Linked to Visakhapatnam Port and industrial corridors, it is expected to emerge as a key logistics hub on India's east coast.

Designed to LEED Platinum standards, the airport will meet about 30 per cent of its water needs through recycled water. Its architecture draws inspiration from a flying fish and incorporates Rangoli motifs, reflecting Andhra Pradesh's maritime heritage and cultural identity.