Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport Launch Pushed to July-August, Awaiting PM Modi's Schedule
The much-anticipated commissioning of the Alluri Sitarama Raju Greenfield International Airport at Bhogapuram, near Visakhapatnam, is now expected to occur in July or August, representing a slight delay from the previously announced June timeline. This adjustment comes as interior finishing work and final touches to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower continue, alongside the expansion and construction of main access roads.
Project Progress and Infrastructure Details
State Roads and Buildings, and Basic Infrastructure Minister BC Janardhana Reddy confirmed that the airport's development has reached an advanced stage, with 98.74% of the work completed. The project, executed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, involves a first-phase investment of Rs 4,727 crore.
Key features of the airport include:
- A 3,800-meter runway capable of handling large aircraft.
- 40 check-in counters to streamline passenger processing.
- 12 Digi Yatra Pods for seamless, contactless travel experiences.
- An annual passenger capacity of 60 lakh (6 million).
Minister Reddy emphasized that the team is awaiting an auspicious day and the availability of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's schedule for the official inauguration. He specifically mentioned potential dates in early July (July 5 or July 8) and mid-August (August 17 or August 19) as likely candidates for the grand opening ceremony.
Resilient Design and Connectivity Enhancements
The airport has been engineered to withstand extreme weather conditions, a critical consideration for the cyclone-prone coastal region. Its design allows it to sustain wind speeds of up to 275 kmph and heavy rainfall of up to 27 centimeters, supported by a robust drainage system built to manage severe weather events effectively.
In January, the first validation flight, an Air India Airbus A320 from New Delhi, successfully landed at the airport. At that time, Union Minister Rammohan Naidu had projected a June commissioning date, which has now been revised due to ongoing finalizations.
Road connectivity is being rapidly enhanced to ensure smooth access:
- Seven main roads linking Visakhapatnam city to Bhogapuram Airport via National Highway 16 are under construction.
- An additional 12 internal roads within the airport vicinity are also being developed at a fast pace.
- Sources indicate that completing all roadworks will require approximately 50 to 60 days, aligning with the new operational timeline.
Once operational, this airport will become India's second greenfield airport, significantly boosting regional connectivity, tourism, and economic growth in Andhra Pradesh and beyond.
