‘Runway for North Andhra’s growth’

metro india news  I hyderabad

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, marking a major infrastructure milestone for North Andhra Pradesh. The Prime Minister also launched and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth nearly Rs 18,000 crore, as the NDA leadership projected the region as the state’s next major growth engine. Governor Justice S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Minister Nara Lokesh, Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Union Ministers Pemmasani Chandrasekhar and Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma, former Union minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and other leaders attended the event.

After inaugurating the airport, Modi inspected the terminal, passenger facilities, check-in areas and advanced technology systems. GMR Group representatives briefed him on the airport’s features, master plan and proposed aviation hub and aerocity. The Prime Minister was also welcomed with cultural performances showcasing North Andhra’s heritage. A mass Dhimsa dance, involving thousands of tribal women, was a major attraction. Addressing the gathering, Modi began his speech with greetings in Telugu and offered obeisance to Simhachalam Appanna and Pydithalli Ammavaru.

Describing the inauguration as an important milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s development journey, Modi said Bhogapuram airport would become a new “runway for North Andhra’s development” and a “launchpad for the bright future of Andhra youth.” He said naming the airport after revolutionary freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju was a tribute to the country’s national heroes. The Prime Minister also praised Chandrababu Naidu for his efforts to attract investments and accelerate industrial development. He assured continued support from the Centre, saying the “double-engine government” would work towards attracting investments, increasing production and exports and generating employment.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said the inauguration marked the beginning of a new economic chapter for North Andhra and predicted that increased investment and employment opportunities would eventually trigger reverse migration into the region. 

Calling the airport more than an infrastructure project, Chandrababu credited farmers who voluntarily gave land for making the project possible and described them as the “true architects” of North Andhra’s future. He said 189 projects involving investments of about Rs 6.13 lakh crore had been attracted to North Andhra over the past two years, with the potential to create around 5.57 lakh jobs.

The Chief Minister said eight priority irrigation projects involving Rs 2,784 crore would be completed within three years. He also referred to the Neradi Barrage, Vamsadhara-Godavari interlinking and plans to bring Godavari water to Anakapalli. Chandrababu projected tourism, pharmaceuticals, rare-earth minerals, highways, ports and spiritual tourism as major drivers of the region’s future economy.

He thanked Modi for the Centre’s support to the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, railway zone, Amaravati and Polavaram. Chandrababu said Polavaram would be completed by 2027 and Phase-I of Amaravati by 2028. Praising Modi’s leadership, Chandrababu said that in his nearly five decades in public life he had never seen a leader like Narendra Modi. His call of “Thank You Modiji” was echoed by the gathering.

AP releases additional Rs 5 cr for PM Modi’s visit

The Andhra Pradesh government released an additional Rs 5 crore to the General Administration Department to meet urgent expenditure connected with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vizianagaram for the inauguration of the Bhogapuram international airport and the accompanying public meeting. According to the Budget Release Order, the amount was sanctioned as additional funds for expenditure associated with the Prime Minister’s August 1, 2026 visit.

The order authorized the funds in relaxation of treasury control and quarterly regulation provisions, pending formal provision through supplementary grants during the 2026-27 financial year. The release followed proposals processed by the General Administration and Finance departments on July 27 and 28. The order authorized the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officers to draw the expenditure through Abstract Contingency Bills.