Bhogapuram Airport progresses toward 2026 launch

Construction of the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport is progressing at a rapid pace, with nearly 71 percent of the work completed and operations expected to commence within the next 15 months. The ambitious project, closely monitored by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, is poised to become a game-changer for the northern districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, who reviewed the progress recently, reaffirmed the Centre’s full support for the project. He noted that efforts are being made to complete the airport ahead of schedule, with all required facilities in place.

The airport is being developed by GMR Group, which has completed 100 percent of the earthwork and 97 percent of the runway construction. Significant progress has also been made in other key areas, with 92 percent of the taxiway, 72 percent of the air traffic control centre, and 60 percent of the terminal building already finished. Construction of auxiliary structures and other buildings stands at 43 percent, while 55 percent of the pavement and tarmac work is done.

Thousands of workers and hundreds of lorries equipped with heavy machinery are engaged in the construction, which is being executed on a war footing. In parallel, the developer has also taken up landscaping and greening works to enhance the airport environment.

Temporary infrastructure has been arranged to support the construction phase. The electricity department has provisioned a temporary 2,500 KV power supply, while 1.7 metric litres of water per day is currently being supplied by district authorities. Given the airport’s future requirement of 5 metric litres per day, the state government has decided to draw water from the Taraka Rama Tirtha Sagar project. With works on the reservoir pending for several years, the government has now initiated them on priority and allocated Rs 800 crore to ensure timely completion.

The Union Minister, who frequently visits the site, also interacted with local farmers from nearby villages during his recent tour. Responding to their demand for approach roads to their settlements, he assured that their request would be addressed without delay.

Situated strategically between Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts, the Bhogapuram Airport is expected to significantly boost both passenger and cargo traffic in the region. At present, the Visakhapatnam Airport, operated by the Indian Navy, handles an average of 28 lakh passengers and 4,400 tonnes of cargo annually, but operates under time and operational constraints.

Once Bhogapuram Airport becomes operational, it will offer unrestricted, 24-hour domestic and international flight services. In the first phase alone, it is expected to handle up to 60 lakh passengers annually, along with substantial cargo volumes. The airport is projected to become a key hub for regional connectivity, economic activity, and international travel from the north coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh.

With the current pace of development, officials remain confident that the airport will be ready for operations by mid-2026, adding a significant jewel to North Andhra’s infrastructure crown.