Nation to Get New International Airport Today; PM Modi to Inaugurate—What Facilities Will Be Available?
Bhogapuram Airport: The country is set to receive a new international airport today. Located in the Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh, the airport will be inaugurated by PM Modi. Here is a look at the facilities it will offer.
AP Bhogapuram Airport: Andhra Pradesh is getting a new international airport today. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Bhogapuram Airport in Vizianagaram district. The airport has been officially named ‘Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport’ in honor of the great freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.
PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at the airport around 11:00 AM. He will first tour the new passenger terminal, inaugurate the airport, and address the gathering. Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu will also be present at the event.
Airport Built at a Cost of ₹5,640 Crore
The airport has been constructed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. According to the PMO, the project cost exceeded ₹5,640 crore. In the first phase, it will have the capacity to handle 6 million (60 lakh) passengers annually. There are plans to increase this capacity to 40 million (4 crore) passengers in the future.
The airport was constructed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited and spans an area of 2,203 acres. It features a 3,800-meter-long runway and a cargo terminal covering approximately 5,000 square meters. Notably, the airport was completed in just 31 months—about five months ahead of schedule.
The airport has received all necessary operational clearances. These include the aerodrome license from the DGCA, security clearance from the BCAS, approval for an immigration check post, clearance from the Customs Department, and permission from the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board.
AI and Green Technology in the Terminal
Several modern technologies have been incorporated into the new terminal. It features facilities such as Artificial Intelligence, Building Information Modeling, Airside 4.0, and an Airport Predictive Operations Center.
Amenities for passengers include biometric entry, an automatic baggage handling system, and modern security arrangements.
With environmental sustainability in mind, the airport is equipped with a 5 MW solar plant, rainwater harvesting systems, energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning, and charging stations for electric vehicles.
The terminal’s design is also distinctive; its roof is inspired by the traditional huts of Andhra Pradesh and the Araku Valley, while the overall structure resembles a flying fish.
Commercial flights to begin on August 17
Although the inauguration is taking place today, commercial flight operations will commence on August 17. According to a directive from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, all scheduled commercial flights operating from Visakhapatnam Airport (INS Dega) will be shifted to Bhogapuram starting at 12:01 AM on August 17. Bhogapuram will also inherit the ‘VTZ’ airport code currently assigned to Visakhapatnam.
Regular commercial flights will not operate from INS Dega for the next 30 years; however, operations involving the Air Force, other defense services, VIPs, police, and non-scheduled flights will continue there.
Air India releases schedule
Air India has also released its flight schedule. Five daily flights will operate between Hyderabad and Bhogapuram, and there will be two daily flights to Bengaluru. Additionally, an extra flight will operate five days a week, excluding Fridays and Sundays.
Who will benefit the most?
The construction of Bhogapuram Airport will directly benefit residents of the Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts. This new airport will also offer convenience to travelers from various parts of southern Odisha. The government states that the facility will boost tourism, business, investment, and employment. While the airport is ready, a significant challenge associated with it still remains. The airport is located approximately 40–50 kilometers from Visakhapatnam city. A 55-kilometer-long, six-lane highway connecting the two was announced quite some time ago, but the road remains incomplete. The opposition YSR Congress is targeting the state government over this issue, arguing that the incomplete road could cause inconvenience to travelers initially.
A record-breaking inauguration?
A grand cultural event has been organized to make the inauguration ceremony special. Around 13,000 tribal women and female students will perform the traditional Dhimsa dance together. An attempt will also be made to enter this feat into the Guinness World Records.
