Bhogapuram Airport to Power North Andhra Growth, Modi Invited for Launch

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Parliament House in New Delhi and formally invited him to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district on August 1. The inauguration is expected to mark a major milestone in the state's infrastructure push and boost economic prospects for North Andhra Pradesh.

Following the meeting, the Chief Minister held a teleconference with senior officials and public representatives to review arrangements for the high-profile event. Stressing the significance of the project, he described the airport as a "growth engine" that would transform the economic landscape of the Uttarandhra region by improving connectivity, attracting investments and creating new employment opportunities.

During the proposed visit, Prime Minister Modi is expected to inaugurate not only the airport but also a host of associated infrastructure projects envisioned around it. These include the passenger terminal, an Aviation University, a Skill Development Centre, an Aviation Hub, and the proposed EduCity, all of which are aimed at creating an integrated aviation and knowledge ecosystem.

The Bhogapuram International Airport, being developed by GMR Group, is Andhra Pradesh's first major greenfield international airport project in decades. Equipped with a 3,800-metre runway capable of handling wide-body international aircraft, the facility is designed to ease pressure on the existing Visakhapatnam Airport, which operates under operational constraints due to its shared use with the Indian Navy. The airport is also expected to improve domestic and international connectivity, enhance air cargo movement and support the state's growing industrial and tourism sectors.

The state government envisions the airport as the nucleus of a future aerotropolis, with aviation-linked industries, logistics parks, educational institutions and commercial developments expected to emerge around the project. Officials believe it will strengthen Andhra Pradesh's appeal as an investment destination while accelerating the development of the Visakhapatnam-Vizianagaram growth corridor.

Calling the inauguration a historic occasion, Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to ensure flawless coordination and grand arrangements for the event. He urged public representatives and administrative departments to work together to make the launch a memorable milestone that reflects the state's infrastructure ambitions and its vision for long-term economic growth.