Andhra pradesh: The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, popularly known as Bhogapuram International Airport, is swiftly moving towards completion in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district. As of April 2025, the project stands at 68% overall completion, with the 3,800-meter runway at 95%, terminal works at 55%, and the taxiway nearly done at 85%. Developed under a public-private partnership by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd (GVIAL), the airport is set to be operational by January 2026, months ahead of schedule.
The terminal’s modern, sustainable design targets a Platinum LEED certification, initially spanning 5,000 m² to accommodate 6 million passengers annually. Modular expansions aim to scale this up to 18 million passengers in Phase 3. Beyond passenger traffic, a 5,000 m² cargo terminal is geared to bolster exports—particularly shrimp and agricultural products. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu recently celebrated a technical milestone, noting the successful calibration of key navigational systems—ILS, DVOR, and PAPI—using the Benchcraft King Air 360.
“This world-class aviation hub will unlock immense opportunities for connectivity, jobs, investment, and tourism,” he posted. The Rs 4,592–4,750 crore project spans over 2,200 acres and is expected to generate 5,000 jobs while enhancing tourism to destinations like Araku Valley and Vizianagaram’s heritage sites. Stakeholders, however, stress the urgency for improved last-mile road, rail, and metro links to reduce the 2.5–3-hour commute from Visakhapatnam’s core. Bhogapuram is no longer just a runway under construction—it’s fast becoming the launchpad for North Andhra’s economic lift-off.
