Bhogapuram Airport Will Be North Andhra's Crown Jewel, Says CM Chandrababu Naidu

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu hailed the newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram as the "crown jewel" of North Andhra, saying the landmark project would usher in a new era of economic and social development for the region. He was addressing a public meeting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the ₹5,000-crore airport on Saturday.

Naidu said the airport would transform North Andhra in the same way Hyderabad's Shamshabad Airport reshaped Telangana's development, creating fresh opportunities for investment, tourism, industry and employment. Located between scenic hills and the coastline, the airport also reflects the richness of Telugu culture, he added.

The inauguration was marked by a colourful cultural display as 13,500 tribal women welcomed the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister and other dignitaries with the traditional Dhimsa dance during an open-top vehicle procession. Naidu congratulated the performers, noting that the event had earned recognition from both the Guinness World Records and the World Book of Records.

Thanking the farmers who gave up their land for the airport, the Chief Minister said they had contributed not only land but also a brighter future for generations to come. He revealed that North Andhra has already attracted investment commitments worth ₹6.13 lakh crore, expected to generate over five lakh jobs.

Naidu announced that the government aims to complete eight major irrigation projects in North Andhra within the next three years. He also said Godavari water would reach Anakapalle by August 14 and that work on the Godavari-Vamsadhara river linking project would soon begin. Highlighting the region's strengths, he said its highways, ports, railways, airport, tourism assets and mineral wealth would ensure rapid growth, making North Andhra a destination for job seekers rather than a region people leave for employment.

Taking an indirect swipe at the previous YSRCP government, Naidu remarked that those who once claimed "not even a bus would come here" were now witnessing an Airbus landing at Bhogapuram.

Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Naidu said the Centre had played a crucial role in supporting Andhra Pradesh by helping revive the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, approving the South Coast Railway Zone, accelerating the Polavaram Project, and restarting construction of Amaravati. He said the state plans to complete Polavaram by 2027 and the first phase of Amaravati by 2028, with both projects proposed to be dedicated by the Prime Minister.

Describing Modi as a leader with exceptional vision and clarity, Naidu said he had guided the country effectively despite global challenges such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, energy supply disruptions and climate-related uncertainties. Invoking the legacy of Alluri Sitarama Raju, he expressed confidence that coordinated efforts by the Centre and the state would transform North Andhra into a global growth hub.