Visakhapatnam: An exercise will start soon on to find out ways and means to expedite the process of making Bhogapuram International Airport operational ahead of schedule. The airport is now under construction by L&T Construction after bagging an EPC contract from GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), a special purpose vehicle formed by GMR Group

The stone for the airport was laid twice viz. first by then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in February, 2019 and the last by his successor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in May, 2023. With Naidu back in power and his party MP from Srikakulam Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu assuming charge as the Union Civil Aviation Minister, orders have been issued to the officials concerned to put the project on a fast-track mode.

The Minister has also announced that he will periodically review the progress as the project is of utmost importance to North Andhra, from where he hails. After assuming charge, Naidu said the project will be a game-changer for the economic prosperity of the region and blamed the erstwhile YSRCP regime for tardy progress in taking up work on the greenfield airport project.

A senior official said during the previous TDP regime when Vizianagaram MP P Ashok Gajapathi Raju was the Civil Aviation Minister in Modi 2.0, it was proposed to develop a mega aerotropolis, aviation academy, logistics park, an industrial cluster and a Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) Complex. The YSRCP Government had reduced the land proposed for the airport from 2700 acres to 2200 acres by retaining 500 acres under its possession. Now after renegotiation with the GMR Group, the project proponent may be given additional land, according to indications. The first phase of the airport construction has been undertaken at a cost of Rs 4,592 crore to handle six million passengers. The capacity will be doubled in the second phase depending on the demand.

The airport is scheduled to be completed in three years from the date of construction. The YSRCP Government had advised the GMR Group to make it ready six months ahead of schedule. However, the new Civil Aviation Minister categorically stated that they will try to further advance the date to launch the operations. The construction of the airport, according to the project proponent, will generate about six lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities, provide improved connectivity, attract investments from businesses and industries from across the world, create opportunities for tourism and contribute to the overall development of the region.

As per the concession agreement, GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd will design, build, finance and operate the international airport for an initial term of 40 years. The first phase of the project is expected to be constructed in three years. Initially, the airport will serve six million passengers per annum. The airport will also have a dedicated state-of-the-art cargo terminal catering to exports and airport city within the vicinity, ensuring world-class facilities for efficient cargo operations.

“Before the airport commences operations, connectivity should be ensured. Hence, we expect that the six-lane road from Bhogapuram to Visakhapatnam will start on a war-footing,” Credai local chapter chairman KSRK Raju (Sai) told Bizz Buzz.