Union Minister for Civil Aviation, K Ram Mohan Naidu, recently announced that 36 per cent of the construction work at Bhogapuram International Airport has been completed.
The minister expressed confidence that the entire project would be finished by June 2026, as requested by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
The Union Minister highlighted that critical infrastructure works, including the air traffic control tower and terminal building, are progressing rapidly. He emphasised that the union government is closely monitoring the project to ensure timely completion.
The airport is located about 50 km from the coastal city of Visakhapatnam. GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd (GVIAL), a 100 per cent subsidiary of GMR Airports Ltd (GAL), is the concessionaire for the development and operations of Bhogapuram Airport.
The project involves the design, finance, construction, development, operation and maintenance of the airport for 40 years, with an option to extend for an additional 20 years.
The airport, spanning approximately 2,300 acres with an estimated cost of Rs 4,750 crore, is poised to stimulate economic growth in North Andhra.
This new airport project in the bustling coastal city of Andhra Pradesh, which also has a major port and steel unit, is part of GMR’s strategy to expand its aviation infrastructure business.
In addition to Bhogapuram, Ram Mohan Naidu revealed plans for the construction of new airports in Mulapeta (Srikakulam district), Dagadarthi (Nellore district), and Kuppam (Chittoor district) in Andhra Pradesh, as well as Nagarjunasagar in Telangana, reports The Hindu.
The union government has initiated technical feasibility studies at these sites to assess their potential.
Significance
A world-class maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) facility and air cargo complex are also planned at the proposed Bhogapuram airport.
This airport is expected to play a pivotal role in the state’s development and boost tourism in northern Andhra Pradesh.
This new airport is set to serve not only the residents of north coastal Andhra but also those from the hinterland of Chhattisgarh and Odisha, as well as improve the cargo movement from these regions.
There is significant potential for the export of shrimp, bulk drugs, agriculture products, and cashews from this region.
The airport is expected to provide jobs for about 5,000 people, directly and indirectly.
The world-class facility is expected to increase connectivity between north Andhra and various parts of the world, driving growth in industries and the service sector while increasing revenue for the exchequer.