The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has started the development work relating to the seven key roads that will connect the under-construction Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district with Visakhapatnam city through various routes.“The foundation stone for all these projects, covering 26.72 km, was laid at Adavivaram Junction on Sunday (September 28, 202)5, and the work will be completed by June 2026, when the airport is expected to be inaugurated. These roads are being laid at an estimated cost of ₹175 crore as part of the VMRDA Master Plan,” VMRDA Chairman M.V. Pranav Gopal said.Pointing out that VMRDA is playing a key role in taking the city on the path of progress, Mr. Pranav Gopal said that these roads would help ease traffic on the highway and passengers reach the airport quickly.“Our aim is to complete the roads before the airport operations start at Bhogapuram. We are committed to this goal and will ensure that the work is completed without delay,” Mr. Pranav told The Hindu.Roads are being laid between Chippada and Polipalli (6.32 km), Nerellavalasa and Thallavalasa (4 km), Boyapalem and Kapuluppada (3.1 km), Gambhiram (2.2 km), Gambhiram and Paradeshipalem (1.4 km), Adavivaram and Gandigundam (8 km), and Gambhiram and Sivashakti Nagar (1.7 km).Meanwhile, nearly 80% percent of the civil works at Bhogapuram airport have been completed, according to sources.It may be mentioned that the airport passengers and the city’s resident associations have been repeatedly pressurising the authorities, including the VMRDA, to lay roads first before operating the Bhogapuram airport. Otherwise, traffic problems will arise at many places on the outskirts of the city such as Hanumanthawaka Junction, Madhurawada and Anandapuram, they say.Meanwhile, VMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan inspected the work of the rail overbridge (ROB) at NAD Flyover Junction on Monday. Published - September 30, 2025 09:28 am IST