Set to take off 92% of the project works completed

■ 3.8-kilometre runway, set to become one of the longest runways in the country

■ 5,050 workers and engineers working round the clock

■ Airport to be named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The long-cherished dream of the people of Uttarandhra is on the verge of becoming reality, with construction of the Bhogapuram International Airport progressing at a rapid pace. Officials confirmed that 92% of the project works have been completed, and preparations are underway to conduct the first test flight in the last week of December or the first week of January.

Since assuming charge as Union Minister of Civil Aviation, K.Ram Mohan Naidu has overseen the project with exceptional urgency. He has been personally reviewing the construction every 15 days, pushing agencies to meet the deadline and operationalize the airport at the earliest.

One of the highlights of the project is its 3.8-kilometre runway, set to become one of the longest runways in the country. Nearly 99% of runway work is complete. The terminal building has reached 90% completion, while the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower stands at 72%.

Designed with themes that reflect the culture and traditions of Uttarandhra, the airport’s interiors aim to showcase the region’s heritage. The facility is being constructed by GMR Group, with 5,050 workers and engineers working round the clock in Matsyapuri near Bhogapuram.

The project was originally initiated as part of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act commitments, with former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laying the foundation stone in 2019. However, the work slowed down considerably during the previous YSRCP government. After the coalition government took charge in 2024, construction regained momentum. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has officially decided to name the airport after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.

Proposals are also underway for a dedicated connectivity corridor from Visakhapatnam Port to Mulapeta Port, along with a Visakhapatnam-Bhogapuram metro rail link, to improve access and boost traffic to the upcoming airport. Once operational, the Bhogapuram International Airport is expected to become a major catalyst for the tourism and industrial growth of the Uttarandhra region, significantly enhancing its global connectivity.