From Our Correspondent
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram is set to begin commercial operations, with the project achieving several key milestones ahead of schedule.
Developed by the GMR Group, the greenfield airport has completed its first phase of construction, and all major statutory approvals required for operations are now in place. The airport is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the state government and the Prime Minister’s Office currently finalising a suitable date.
Airport construction complete
The first phase of the airport has been completed, featuring a 78,000-square-metre passenger terminal inspired by the shape of a flying fish.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted the airport its Aerodrome Licence after completing safety inspections, operational trials and validation flights. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has also taken charge of airport security.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday confirmed that all mandatory clearances have been obtained and the airport is ready for commercial operations.
Commercial flight services are expected to commence within a week of the formal inauguration.
Better connectivity to Visakhapatnam
Located about 45-60 kilometres from Visakhapatnam, the airport is being supported by a series of connectivity projects.
The state government is pursuing approvals for a six-lane coastal corridor connecting RK Beach directly to Bhogapuram. In addition, around 20 connecting roads are being widened by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) and the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA).
To improve public transport, GMR Group, in partnership with APSRTC, plans to establish air-conditioned bus lounges at eight locations along the route to provide seamless connectivity between Visakhapatnam and the airport.
Dedicated cargo terminal
The airport will also serve as a major cargo hub for North Andhra.
A dedicated cargo terminal with an annual handling capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes has been built to support exports of aquaculture products, pharmaceuticals, mangoes and other agricultural produce, strengthening the region’s export ecosystem.
User fee under debate
While the airport is ready for operations, passenger groups have raised concerns over the proposed User Development Fee (UDF) approved by the Airports Economic Regulatory Authority (AERA).
The approved charges are ₹835 for domestic departing passengers and ₹1,255 for international departures. Traveller associations have appealed to the government to review the tariffs, arguing that lower user charges would encourage greater passenger traffic during the airport’s initial years.