Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated
the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram
district, Andhra Pradesh
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Prime Minister Narendra
Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram
in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, on 1 August 2026.
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The airport is Andhra
Pradesh’s first greenfield international airport after the bifurcation of the
state in 2014.
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A greenfield airport is
built on a completely new site rather than by expanding an existing airport.
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The Bhogapuram airport
project was developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited under
the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
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The airport was
constructed at a cost of more than ₹5,640 crore.
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The first phase of the
airport is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually.
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Commercial flight
operations are scheduled to begin from 17 August 2026.
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After the commencement of
operations, civil aviation activities at Visakhapatnam Airport will be shifted
and discontinued.
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The terminal building has
been designed with a flying fish motif.
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The design represents the
Bay of Bengal, the maritime heritage of North Andhra, and the cultural identity
of the region.
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The terminal also
incorporates traditional Rangoli patterns in its design.
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The airport was completed
nearly five months ahead of its original schedule.
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The Alluri Sitarama Raju
International Airport is expected to strengthen aviation infrastructure,
improve regional connectivity, promote tourism, and support economic
development in Andhra Pradesh.
