Bhogapuram Airport Rises Above Political Credit Claims

The upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram is set to become one of the most important infrastructure projects for North Andhra Pradesh. Located in Bhogapuram of Vizianagaram district, the new greenfield airport is expected to serve Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and nearby regions. The airport has been planned as a major alternative to the existing Visakhapatnam Airport, which operates as a civil enclave within the naval air station INS Dega and has limitations for civilian expansion.

The need for a new airport near Visakhapatnam has existed for many years. The idea of a separate greenfield airport for the region was discussed as early as 1997, during the period of undivided Andhra Pradesh. Later, around 2005, the need became stronger as Visakhapatnam’s air traffic, trade and urban growth increased, while the existing airport continued to face restrictions because of defence operations.

After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in 2014, the Bhogapuram airport proposal was revived more seriously. During the TDP government from 2014 to 2019, the project was pushed forward and Bhogapuram was identified as the preferred location. In October 2016, the Government of India granted in-principle approval for setting up the Bhogapuram International Greenfield Airport in Vizianagaram district, near Visakhapatnam. This was one of the earliest major official approvals for the project.

However, the project did not move smoothly in the beginning. The initial land requirement was reported to be very large, which created fear among farmers and local residents about losing land and livelihood. Protests, court cases, compensation issues and rehabilitation concerns slowed the project for several years. Over time, the land requirement was reduced, and the project moved forward with a smaller and more practical airport development plan.

After the YSRCP government came to power in 2019, the project entered a more active execution stage. In 2020, the airport development concession was awarded to GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited, a subsidiary of GMR Airports, under the public-private partnership model. The project follows the DBFOT model, which means the developer will design, build, finance, operate and later transfer the airport.

Several important agreements were completed during the YSRCP government period. On 12 September 2022, an MoU was signed between the Airports Authority of India and the Andhra Pradesh government regarding airport land and the future closure of the civil enclave at Visakhapatnam after Bhogapuram begins operations. On 10 March 2023, an agreement related to reserved services was exchanged between the Ministry of Civil Aviation and GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited. On 6 April 2023, an agreement with the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security was also exchanged.

On 3 May 2023, then Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for Bhogapuram International Airport. The first phase was planned at an estimated cost of ₹4,592 crore, with capacity to handle 6 million passengers per year. The project includes a 3,800-metre runway, a cargo terminal and modern passenger facilities. Future phases are planned to increase the airport’s capacity to 12 million and later 18 million passengers per year.

Construction activities gained momentum after the foundation stone ceremony. The airport project included the development of the runway, terminal building, taxiways, aprons, air traffic control facilities, cargo infrastructure, access roads and other airport systems. Larsen & Toubro was reported as the civil construction contractor for major airport works, including the terminal building, runway and related facilities.

In September 2024, the airport was named Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, after the famous freedom fighter who is deeply respected in the region. The name has emotional value for North Andhra, especially because Alluri Sitarama Raju is remembered for leading tribal resistance against British rule.

After the 2024 elections, the TDP-led government returned to power and began handling the final stages before launch. By 2026, the airport had reached the operational readiness stage. Officials inspected the airport, reviewed pending works, checked approach roads, security arrangements and preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit on 1 August 2026.

The airport has also secured several major approvals needed for operations. Reports state that it has received the DGCA aerodrome licence, BCAS security approvals, immigration and customs-related notifications, environmental consent and other important regulatory clearances. These approvals are necessary before scheduled commercial flights can begin from the airport.

This long journey has now led to a political fight between the TDP and YSRCP over who deserves credit for the airport. The TDP claims that it revived the idea after bifurcation, selected Bhogapuram and secured the early central approval. The YSRCP claims that it completed the key execution work, including concession agreement, land acquisition, rehabilitation, approvals and the start of construction. The present TDP-led government claims credit for bringing the airport to the final inauguration stage.

The truth is that Bhogapuram Airport is not the achievement of only one political party. It is a multi-government and multi-agency project. Different governments played different roles at different stages. The TDP government helped revive and initiate the project, the YSRCP government pushed it into execution and construction, and the present TDP-led government is overseeing the launch stage. GMR is the actual developer and operator, while the Central Government provided important aviation approvals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate and dedicate the airport to the nation on 1 August 2026. Reports say his special aircraft is expected to land directly at the new airport, as the runway is fit for operations. However, regular commercial flight operations are expected to begin from 17 August 2026. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that the Prime Minister will inaugurate the airport on 1 August, while scheduled passenger services are expected to start later in August.

For the people of North Andhra, the airport is bigger than political credit. It is expected to improve air connectivity, reduce pressure on Visakhapatnam Airport, support tourism, increase cargo movement, help exports and attract investment. The airport is also expected to support future development such as logistics hubs, commercial spaces, aerospace-related facilities and employment opportunities in the region.