PM Modi inaugurates Bhogapuram International Airport; commercial flights from August 17

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh's Vizianagaram district on Saturday (August 1), marking the launch of one of the state's largest aviation projects.

Built by the GMR Group at an investment of nearly Rs 5,000 crore, the Bhogapuram Airport is expected to play a major role in the development of North Andhra.

The Andhra Pradesh government believes the facility will have an impact that extends far beyond air connectivity. It sees the airport as a key driver of economic activity across the region, with the potential to encourage industrial expansion, create employment opportunities, strengthen exports, promote skill development and support research.

Growth engine for region

The airport has been planned with future growth in mind. In its first phase, it can handle 6 million passengers per year. The long-term master plan provides for a substantial expansion, allowing passenger handling capacity to reach 40 million annually as demand increases over time.

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Commercial flight operations from the new airport are scheduled to begin on August 17, opening a new gateway for travellers and businesses in the region.

Leaders review project

During the inauguration ceremony, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu briefed the Prime Minister on the airport's key features and development plans.

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Later in the day, Prime Minister Modi is set to continue his engagements in Andhra Pradesh by laying the foundation stone for several new projects and inaugurating completed works across the state. The combined value of these initiatives is estimated at nearly Rs 18,000 crore.

(With agency inputs)