The proposed greenfield airport at Bhogapuram, located just 40 kilometers from Vishakapatnam, has long been a cherished aspiration for the people of North Andhra Pradesh. This airport is seen as a catalyst for significant business growth in the region and a key driver for the development of the economically backward area.
Ram Mohan Naidu, the Member of Parliament from Srikakulam and a prominent TDP leader representing North Andhra, currently holds a pivotal role in the Civil Aviation Ministry under Prime Minister Modi's cabinet. Given his position, there are high expectations among the state's residents that the Bhogapuram airport will soon become operational.
Today, Naidu personally inspected the ongoing construction works at Bhogapuram airport and announced a commitment from the central government to accelerate its completion. He declared that the airport will commence operations by 2026, with the terminal construction slated for completion by December of this year. Naidu assured that he would exert all efforts to secure necessary permissions from the government to expedite the project.
Highlighting the political commitment to fulfill election promises, Naidu mentioned the keen interest of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan in seeing the Bhogapuram airport through to fruition. He emphasized that the GMR Group, responsible for the project, must take prompt action in this regard.
Naidu expressed optimism about the airport's potential, anticipating higher passenger traffic than the initial estimate of 4.4 lakh passengers per year. He projected that the airport would create employment opportunities for over 600,000 people and would also benefit neighboring states.
Despite the acquisition of land for Bhogapuram airport several years ago, the project faced delays due to legal challenges from some landowners regarding compensation issues.