Visakhapatnam will witness a series of public events on Friday to mark the inauguration of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram and to promote North Andhra’s cultural heritage.The Bhogapuram Airport 5K run, organised by the district administration and the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) as part of the Uttarandhra Kalalaku Rekkalu campaign, will begin at 5.45 a.m. from Park Hotel and conclude at Tenneti Park, Kailasagiri. District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore said elaborate arrangements had been made, including security, traffic regulation, drinking water, sanitation, medical assistance, first aid and ambulance services. He appealed to students, youth, sportspersons, artistes, voluntary organisations and the public to participate in large numbers. Winners of the run will receive medals from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu during the airport inauguration ceremony on August 1.As part of the celebrations, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) will organise a ‘Proudly Vizag’ themed flash mob at Matsyadarshini near RK Beach at 4 p.m., followed by a beach walk from Matsyadarshini to the Kursura Submarine Museum at 5.30 p.m., according to GVMC Commissioner Ketan Garg.The celebrations will conclude with a drone and an led light show at Rushikonda Beach between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. The district administration and the State government have invited the public to participate in the events marking the inauguration of the new airport. Published - July 30, 2026 09:16 pm IST