The construction work at the Bhogapuram airport in Andhra Pradesh is progressing at a rapid pace, with efforts being made to meet the project’s milestones. The 2,200-acre airport being constructed by the GMR Group is expected to be completed in 18 months. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had laid the foundation stone for the new greenfield airport in May last year.

Presently, the 40-km stretch between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram is set for growth with new ventures being launched by real estate firms and investment proposals streaming in. The GMR Group will be investing Rs 5,000 crore in the first phase of the airport’s development. The land was acquired for the airport a few years ago, and as a component of the rehabilitation and resettlement program, more than 450 families were relocated to new areas. Furthermore, the government has established two fresh colonies to accommodate the displaced families.

Once the airport at Bhogapuram becomes operational, commercial activities at the existing Vizag facility will end. The aerodrome’s annual passenger capacity stands at 3.5 million, with 2.8 million passengers handled. Approx. 30 flights, including international services, operate daily from the Vizag airport.

The project includes a dedicated, cargo terminal tailored for exports, an aerotropolis, and an airport city in the vicinity, with top-notch facilities for efficient cargo operations. The greenfield airport, developed under a public-private partnership model, will initially accommodate six million passengers per annum and will be expanded further as per traffic growth.