From Our Correspondent
Vizianagaram: The first aircraft successfully landed at the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for North Andhra Pradesh’s aviation infrastructure. The flight, operated by Air India, was a commercial validation flight, conducted to certify the runway and basic operational readiness of the greenfield airport ahead of full-fledged operations.
According to officials and the airport developer GMR Group, nearly 96 per cent of construction has been completed. While the runway and core airside infrastructure are ready, work on the terminal building and interior finishing is still underway. The airport is expected to commence commercial operations from June 26, 2026, subject to regulatory clearances.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, along with local MPs and officials, was present during the landing. Officials described the airport as a future growth engine for the Visakhapatnam–Vizianagaram region, with potential to significantly boost connectivity, trade and employment.
However, the milestone quickly turned political.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy took to social media to hail the landing as a “milestone in Andhra Pradesh’s development journey,” asserting that his government had laid a strong foundation for the project through speedy approvals, land acquisition, rehabilitation measures and administrative support. He also credited the achievement to his “Vision Vizag” initiative and praised the GMR Group for its role in construction.
The claims drew sharp criticism from TDP supporters, who pointed out that the Bhogapuram airport project was conceptualised, approved and its foundation stone laid during the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP government. The foundation stone was originally laid in February 2019, shortly before the change of government.
Critics also recalled that during his stint as Leader of the Opposition, Jagan Mohan Reddy had strongly opposed the Bhogapuram airport, calling it unnecessary, accusing the TDP of promoting a real estate venture, and even threatening to approach courts to stall the project. After assuming office in 2019, his government temporarily slowed the project and later re-launched it with a second foundation ceremony in 2023.
The controversy has been further fuelled by reports in Sakshi media suggesting that the airport was largely completed within two years under Jagan’s tenure—claims disputed by opponents, who argue that major approvals, tendering and land acquisition were completed earlier, with construction progressing unevenly during 2019–24.
For now, the successful validation flight stands as a technical achievement, and the Bhogapuram Airport, when it becomes fully operational, will have major positive economic impact on north Andhra region.