Bhogapuram Airport to Boost Exports, Tourism, and Industry in North Andhra: Minister
Visakhapatnam: The upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram is set to become a major catalyst for economic growth in north Andhra, according to State Information and Housing Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy. Addressing the media at the Visakha Press Club on Wednesday, the Minister described the facility as the 'Gateway of Global Andhra', highlighting its potential to boost exports, tourism, and industrial development in the region.
Mr. Parthasarathy announced that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the greenfield airport on August 1. On the same day, the Prime Minister is also scheduled to launch and lay foundation stones for development projects worth ₹17,912 crore across the region.
Designed in the shape of a flying fish, the airport reflects the region’s cultural identity and adheres to environmental norms. The Minister noted that the airport will have a cargo handling capacity of 25,000 metric tonnes, which is expected to significantly enhance the region's export capabilities and integrate north Andhra into the global economy.
Beyond passenger and cargo handling, the airport will be part of a larger development plan that includes an aviation hub, aircraft manufacturing and maintenance facilities, a Skill Development Centre, an Aviation University, an Edu City, and other projects. These initiatives aim to support industrial growth and provide local youth with industry-relevant skills, thereby generating direct and indirect employment opportunities.
The Minister also used the occasion to criticise the previous government, led by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), for its handling of development projects in the region. He claimed that the current administration, under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, is accelerating the pace of infrastructure projects to unlock north Andhra's potential as a tourism and logistics hub.
The Bhogapuram airport is part of a broader effort by the state government to improve connectivity and spur economic activity in the northern districts of Andhra Pradesh, an area that has historically lagged behind in industrial development. The project is expected to play a pivotal role in transforming the region's economic landscape.
