YS Jagan to lay stone for Bhogapuram airport; first flight expected by Jan.2026

VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy will be laying foundation stone for the Bhogapuram International Airport on Wednesday.

The GMR Group is the concessionaire for the green field airport being built at a cost of Rs. 4,592 crore in first phase.

The airport is spread across 2,203 acres, is expected to be completed within 36 months, to cater to 60 lakh passengers per annum.

Focusing on the passenger traffic growth, facilities will be enhanced in a phased manner to handle more than 1.8 crore passengers per annum in future.

The first phase of works would be completed by December 2024. The airport will have 22 aero bridges and the airport can accommodate 22 aircraft at a time.

The first aircraft is expected to take off in January 2025.

Key Features of Bhogapuram Airport

It’s all set for the commencement of Bhogapuram Airport works, after due completion of land acquisition, tender process, getting NOCs, permissions and resolving legal disputes in NGT, High Court and Supreme Court clearances.

* MoU was signed between AP Airports Development Corporation (APADCL) and GMR Group to build Bhogapuram Airport in PPP mode

* The trumpet is being built with cutting-edge technologies for the convenience of passengers, traveling from Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam to reach directly to the airport terminal

* Cargo Terminal and Logistics Ecosystem to provide an efficient global EXIM Gateway.,

* Dedicated International & Domestic Cargo Terminal of 5,000 sq.metres to be developed in the first phase.

* Construction of Runways, Commercial Aircraft Apron, Passenger Terminal Building. Air Traffic Control and Technical Building, Cargo Building, and Sewage Treatment Plant, with advanced technology

* Construction of road connecting National Highway No. 16, Commercial Development Area, Commercial Approach Road Solar Panels Area, Aviation Academy, Maintenance Repair and Overhauling facilities

* Construction of 55-km-long 6 lane highway between Visakhapatnam-Bhogapuram at a cost of Rs.6,300 crores.

* Service roads on either sides.

* Construction of Taraka Rama Thirtha Sagaram project at a cost of Rs. 194.40 Crores to supply water to Bhogapuram Airport.

* Bhogapuram airport to become a growth engine for the development of the State.

* To play a key role in the rise of Northern Andhra tourism.

* It creates a direct employment to 5,000 people during construction, to 10,000 people in operational phase and indirect employment to around 80,000 people.

* Around 5,00,000 employment opportunities through tourism and other investments.

* World class facilities to increase connectivity of the Norther Andhra region to various parts of the world, giving impetus to the growth of Industries and service sector in the region, resulting in increased employment opportunities along with revenue to the exchequer.

* Rehabilitation & Resettlement of Displaced Families:

* The State Government has provided an R&R package of Rs. 77 crores to the displaced families belonging to four villages, who voluntarily vacated their houses for the Airport.

* The construction of houses was completed and allotted to the displaced families in our tenure itself.