Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh, on Saturday [1].

The opening of this Greenfield airport is intended to boost the economy of North Andhra by improving connectivity and infrastructure. The project represents a significant investment in the region's transport network to attract commerce and tourism.

Modi arrived at 10 a.m. [2] and was joined by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan [3]. The Prime Minister received a grand welcome upon his arrival in the Vizianagaram district [3].

The event featured large-scale cultural displays to mark the occasion. Approximately 13,500 tribal women were scheduled to welcome the Prime Minister with traditional dance [4]. Additionally, 13,000 students were slated to perform the Dhimsa dance during the inaugural event [5].

The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport was developed as a Greenfield project with a total cost of Rs 5,000 crore [1]. By building the facility from the ground up, the government aimed to create a modern aviation hub capable of handling increased passenger traffic without the constraints of existing urban infrastructure.

Officials said the facility will serve as a catalyst for regional development. The integration of the new airport into the state's logistics chain is expected to reduce travel times, and lower the cost of transporting goods for local businesses.

“The project represents a significant investment in the region's transport network”

The inauguration of the Bhogapuram airport signals a strategic shift toward decentralizing infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh. By establishing a high-capacity international gateway in the North Andhra region, the government is attempting to create a new economic corridor that reduces reliance on existing hubs and encourages industrial investment in the Vizianagaram district.