PM Modi to Inaugurate Bhogapuram International Airport, Launch ₹18,000-Crore Projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on August 1, marking the commissioning of one of Andhra Pradesh's largest infrastructure projects. Built at an estimated cost of ₹5,000 crore, the greenfield airport is expected to significantly improve connectivity, attract investments and drive economic growth across North Andhra.

According to the official schedule, the Prime Minister will arrive from Delhi at 10:45 a.m. and will be received by Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The airport terminal will be inaugurated at 10:58 a.m., followed by an inspection of the facilities. Modi will then travel in an open-top vehicle to the public meeting venue, where nearly 13,500 tribal women and students will welcome him with the traditional Dhimsa dance. He is scheduled to address a public gathering from 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. before returning to Delhi at 1:10 p.m.

Developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited, the airport spans 2,703.26 acres, incorporating the airport complex, an aviation hub, aviation university, Edu City and commercial zones. The government said it is among India's fastest-completed greenfield international airports, completed nearly five months ahead of schedule, and has already received the required DGCA aerodrome licence, along with safety and environmental clearances.

The airport has an initial capacity of 6 million passengers annually, with a master plan to expand handling capacity to 40 million passengers a year. Its 3,800-metre Code-E runway can accommodate wide-body aircraft, including the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and Airbus A340. It is equipped with modern passenger amenities such as contact boarding bridges, self check-in and baggage-drop systems, advanced surveillance and integrated air traffic management.

A 25,000-metric-tonne cargo terminal with cold-chain facilities for pharmaceuticals, seafood and other perishable goods is expected to strengthen exports through connectivity with Visakhapatnam Port and industrial corridors. Sustainability features include 30% recycled water usage and a LEED Platinum-standard terminal inspired by the marine heritage of North Andhra.

The Andhra Pradesh government invested ₹1,583 crore in supporting infrastructure, including land acquisition, roads, power and water supply. Officials expect the airport to boost tourism, logistics, manufacturing, IT, aerospace, defence and exports while improving access to destinations such as Araku, Lambasingi, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.

During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also lay foundation stones and dedicate to the nation development projects worth around ₹18,000 crore related to petroleum, road transport and other Central government sectors, making the Bhogapuram visit a major milestone in Andhra Pradesh's development.