Bhogapuram Airport Set for Inauguration by PM Modi on August 1.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district on August 1. Built at an estimated cost of nearly ₹5,000 crore, the greenfield airport is being positioned by the state government as a transformational infrastructure asset for the North Andhra region.

According to the official schedule, the Prime Minister will arrive at the airport from Delhi on a special aircraft at 10:45 am. Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will receive him.

At 10:58 am, Modi will inaugurate the airport terminal building and inspect the facility along with the Governor, Chief Minister and other dignitaries. He will later address a public meeting, where over 13,500 tribal women and students are expected to welcome him with a Dhimsa dance performance.

The Prime Minister’s public address is scheduled between 11:30 am and 12:55 pm, after which he will depart for Delhi at 1:10 pm.

The Andhra Pradesh government said the airport has been developed to international standards as part of its vision to position Visakhapatnam among globally developed cities. The facility is expected to act as a catalyst for industrial growth, employment generation, exports, skill development, research and regional economic development.

The airport is among the fastest-completed greenfield international airports in India and was completed nearly five months ahead of schedule, according to a government release. It has received the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) aerodrome licence along with necessary safety, fire and environmental clearances.

Designed to handle six million passengers annually in the first phase, the airport has a future expansion plan to increase capacity to 40 million passengers annually.

Developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model through the Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) framework, the integrated project spans 2,703.26 acres. The development includes the airport spread over 2,203.32 acres, a 500-acre aviation hub, an aviation university and EduCity, along with commercial, residential and connectivity infrastructure.

A key feature of the airport is its 3,800-metre Code-E runway, which can accommodate wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330 and Airbus A340. The airport is equipped with advanced airfield lighting, navigation systems and CNS/ATM infrastructure to support domestic and international operations.

The terminal incorporates modern passenger processing facilities, including contact boarding bridges, Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS), self-baggage drop, self-service passenger processing, smart surveillance, access control systems and an Integrated Operational Control and Monitoring Centre.

The airport is expected to strengthen North Andhra’s export ecosystem with a 25,000 metric tonne annual cargo terminal featuring temperature-controlled cold chain facilities for pharmaceuticals, marine products and other high-value perishables.

With connectivity to Visakhapatnam Port, industrial corridors and logistics networks, Bhogapuram is expected to emerge as a major air cargo and logistics hub on India’s east coast. The airport also incorporates sustainability measures, including meeting around 30% of its water requirements through recycled water and development as per LEED Platinum standards.

The terminal’s architectural design reflects the cultural identity of Andhra Pradesh, drawing inspiration from a flying fish symbolising the Bay of Bengal and North Andhra’s maritime heritage, while incorporating traditional Rangoli patterns in its roof and ceiling designs.

The Andhra Pradesh government has invested ₹1,583 crore in supporting infrastructure, including land acquisition, water and power supply, connectivity roads and other development works.

The airport is expected to boost tourism, hospitality, logistics, warehousing, pharmaceuticals, marine products, IT, aerospace, defence and manufacturing sectors across the region. Tourist destinations such as Araku, Lambasingi, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam are also expected to benefit from improved connectivity.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to lay foundation stones and dedicate projects worth around ₹18,000 crore across sectors including petroleum and surface transport.