AP govt sanctions ₹27 cr for restoration of stormwater drains at Bhogapuram International Airport

The Andhra Pradesh government has approved ₹27 crore for the urgent restoration of four stormwater outlet channels at the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, currently under construction in Vizianagaram district.

According to a proposal submitted by the Managing Director of the Andhra Pradesh Airports Development Corporation Limited (APADCL), four key stormwater outlets - OT1, OT2, OT4 and OT5 - require immediate repairs, upgrades and desilting to ensure smooth drainage during heavy rain.

In a government order issued by Special Chief Secretary M.T. Krishna Babu, the state agreed to allocate the required funds from the ₹1,000-crore Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) loan. The Water Resources Department has been tasked with executing the restoration works.

The order emphasized that the airport’s master plan must ensure overall site sustainability, including measures to harvest at least 50% of the rainwater run-off generated within the airport premises. This water can then be used for groundwater recharge or irrigation. However, since all stormwater outlets drain into irrigation canals located outside the airport boundaries, the existing channels must be restored immediately to prevent waterlogging and flooding during heavy downpours.

Earlier, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that the Bhogapuram airport would be formally inaugurated in August 2026. Meanwhile, the Union Government has indicated that a test flight is expected in December or January, reflecting the rapid progress of construction.

As of now, 91.7% of the work has been completed. Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, who recently inspected the site, reviewed the taxiway and runway works and enquired about flood-prevention measures, especially during heavy rains.

He said the project would be completed on schedule despite challenges, and efforts are underway to enhance air connectivity. Economic activity has already begun picking up around the airport, with plans for five-star hotels and even an aviation university in the vicinity. The aviation department is also in talks with airlines that currently do not operate from Visakhapatnam Airport to start services from Bhogapuram.

Ram Mohan Naidu added that Visakhapatnam is being developed as an AI hub, and the new airport is being built to global standards, with navigation and air-traffic control systems overseen by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Once construction is completed, the government plans to invite Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the airport.

The recently sanctioned ₹27 crore forms part of the measures taken to resolve the drainage issues highlighted during the minister’s inspection, ensuring the airport does not face waterlogging problems during monsoons.