'Crown of north Andhra': CM Jagan lays foundation stone for Bhogapuram airport

Visakhapatnam: Exuding confidence over winning a second term, chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said he will inaugurate the Bhogapuram Green field International Airport in 2026. He was addressing a public meeting in Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district after laying the foundation for the airport on Wednesday.

"Laying foundation stone for the airport is a historic step for the development of north Andhra. With your blessings I will inaugurate the airport,’’ Jagan said.

Calling the airport crown of north Andhra, the chief minister said he set the ball rolling for the major development of north Andhra with the airport playing central role in the development for Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam district.  The airport would catalyze rapid development in tourism, medical tourism, IT sector and infrastructure in the region, he said.

The airport, located about 45 km northeast of Visakhapatnam, is being constructed by GMR group at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore. The airport is being developed on PPP mode for which an MoU was signed between AP Airports Development Corporation and GMR Group.

"With the realisation of Mulapeta seaport in Srikakulam, Bhogapuram airport and Adani Data centre I am sure north Andhra will turn to be a major job hub. Job aspirants will stop migrating to other states and unemployed youngsters from other states would come to north Andhra for employment." Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

In the first phase of the airport, there will have seven aerobridges, two runways, aircraft maintenance wing, plant quarantine centre, aviation academy and cargo terminal. In the first phase, the airport will handle 60 lakh passengers and after completion of the third and final phase, the turnover is expected to reach four crore passengers.

The chief minister the airport will create five lakh jobs directly and indirectly after completion.

Blaming opposition for creating hurdles for the project, the chief minister said the government successfully fought cases in NGT, high court and Supreme Court to make the project a reality.

The chief minister also laid stone for pending works of Tarakarama Thirtha Sagaram at an estimated cost of Rs 194 crore to supply five million litres of water to Bhogapuram airport, drinking water to 49 villages and irrigate 30,000 acres of land.

He also laid foundation stone for fish landing centre at Chintapalli village in Vizianagaram district.

GMR Group chairman G Mallikarjuna Rao said it gave him immense satisfaction to build an airport in his home district of Vizianagaram.

Nellimarla MLA Bandikonda Appala Naidu requested the chief minister to name the airport after Dr YSR Rajasekhara Reddy.