Reaffirming its long-standing legacy of public service and philanthropy, the Vizianagaram Pusapati royal family has donated land worth nearly Rs. 1,000 crore for the establishment of a large-scale Aviation Edu-City in Andhra Pradesh. The ambitious project is proposed close to the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, with the objective of creating employment-oriented opportunities for youth in the civil aviation sector.

The land parcel, spanning 136.63 acres at Annavaram in Bhimili mandal of Visakhapatnam district, belongs to the MANSAS Trust and has been earmarked exclusively for the project. With construction of the Bhogapuram airport nearing completion, the state government has accelerated plans to build an aviation-focused education hub aligned with global standards.

The initiative was formally taken forward by IT and Human Resources Development Minister Nara Lokesh, who has been spearheading efforts to link education with emerging employment sectors. The government is keen on inviting branches of leading international aviation universities and training institutions to set up campuses within the proposed Edu-City. On behalf of the MANSAS Trust, Aditi Gajapathi Raju, Vizianagaram MLA , daughter of Governor of Goa, Ashok Gajapathi Raju, took the lead in offering the land for the project. She also requested the state government to name the Aviation Edu-City after their ancestor, Alak Maharaja Gajapathi Raju, as a tribute to the family’s historic contributions to education and public welfare.

GMR Group has already come forward to partner in the development of the project, giving further momentum to the initiative. The Pusapati royal family is known to have a historic association with aviation, dating back to a time when they reportedly owned private aircraft and airstrips. Ashok Gajapathi Raju’s tenure as Union Civil Aviation Minister further strengthened this legacy.

Speaking on the occasion, Aditi Gajapathi Raju said her grandfather had established several educational institutions with the belief that education should be accessible to all. “With the same vision of serving the people of the state, we are donating this land for the Aviation Edu-City. It is a matter of pride that the project will carry our ancestors’ name,” she said. The agreement was finalised recently in Vizag, following which the state govt issued formal orders granting approvals through the Endowments Dept. With regulatory clearances in place and a PPP involving GMR and the MANSAS Trust, the path has now been cleared for the establishment of one of the state’s most ambitious education-led infrastructure projects.