‘Bhogapuram Airport will spur Shamshabad-type boom in AP’

Airport-led growth

• AP govt targets December 2025 for Bhogapuram International Airport completion
• The construction will be undertaken by GMR Group on PPP basis
• The project, located 40 km from Vizag, aims to replicate the Shamshabad-type development in parts of Vizag, Srikakulam, and Vizianagaram
• An expressway and connectivity with Visakhapatnam Metro Rail are proposed, enhancing transportation infrastructure in the region

Visakhapatnam: Close on the heels of achieving financial closure and awarding EPC contract to L&T, the Andhra Pradesh Government has declared that the construction of the first phase of Bhogapuram International Airport through GMR Group on a PPP basis will be completed by December, 2025 as per the deadline set by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy so as to make it operational by New Year of 2026.

Elected representatives of the YSR Congress Party were taken on a field visit to Bhogapuram during the weekend to give them first-hand knowledge about the progress of work suggesting that it will become a major plank during the forthcoming elections. The team was led by YSRCP regional coordinator YV Subba Reddy. They were briefed about the salient features of the greenfield airport project and the timelines fixed by them to complete it by the senior officials of GMR Group.

Industries Minister Gudivada Amarnath, who was part of the team which visited Bhogapuram, said the project will ensure Shamshabad-type development in parts of Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts. The project site is located 40 km from Visakhapatnam, 20 km from Vizianagaram and 50 km from Srikakulam. An expressway along with connectivity with Visakhapatnam Metro Rail is proposed from the city to Bhogapuram, though both the mega infrastructure projects are yet to be launched. The development of Shamshabad International Airport, also by GMR Group as a PPP partner, along with the Outer Ring Road has brought mammoth development all around Hyderabad by making Cyberabad, Nanakramguda and Gachibowli as major happening places in Telangana.

Amarnath said work on the first phase of Bhogapuram International Airport is progressing at brisk pace at a cost of Rs 4750 crore. Work is in progress on a 3800 metres runway, apron, taxiways, miscellaneous airport systems and landside facilities. The EPC contract was awarded to L&T in November. Once completed, the airport will handle six million passengers per annum, which will be raised to 40 million subsequently through phase-wise expansion depending on the demand. The Minister said though the project is scheduled for completion in three years, the Chief Minister urged GMR Group Chairman GM Rao completion within two and half years.

The concession agreement was awarded to GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd (GVIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports Ltd (GAL). After sorting out legal issues, 2203 acres was handed over to GMR Group to facilitate kick-starting of work. The stone for the airport was laid by the erstwhile TDP government on the eve of elections. Amarnath said unlike others, the YSRCP government finalised the project and grounded it only after clearing all the legal disputes over land acquisition. Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the airport on April 19.

The Minister said the Chief Minister recently conducted an aerial survey of the airport's construction work during his visit to Palasa to launch a hospital and drinking water supply project. He said the Ramayapatnam Port will receive the first cargo ship in January-February, 2024. Work is at brisk pace on the greenfield ports at Mulapeta in Srikakulam district and Machilipatnam in Krishna district.