Vizianagaram [Andhra Pradesh], Aug 01 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi cuts the ribbon to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport during his visit at Bhogapuram, in Vizianagaram on Saturday. Andhra Pradesh Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and other dignitaries are also present. (Narendra Modi Photo Gallery/ANI Photo)
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The civil aviation sector witnessed steep growth in last 12 years in number of airports facilitating air travel for the poor, in the according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was speaking after formally inaugurating Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam on Saturday.The total number of airports in the county had gone up from 74 in 2014 to 166 in 2026, the Prime Minister said.The spoke airport model being adopted by the Government was showing success and provided connectivity to 25 destinations from Amritsar in Punjab, Modi said. The Government had spent ₹29,000 crore on making air travel affordable to the poor, he added. Modi, who landed in a special flight in the new airport, the first one after the a trial flight earlier, said along with the new airport development projects involving ₹18,000 crore investment would aid further development of the State.The new airport is a runway to the growth of north Andhra in particular and the State in general and would function as a launch pad.Earlier, all airports were named after leaders of one particular family. But the NDA government discontinued the practice and the named new airport after Alluri Sitarama Raju. The Dhimsa tribal dance performance by 13000 tribal dancers set a new world record and showed tribal culture and diversity in the India, he said.The Centre was also developing other projects including the new semiconductor plant, ports, railways and highways, the Prime Minister said. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the new airport would be a catalyst for the development of north Andhra region. Amaravati’ first phase construction would be completed by 2028 to be inaugurated by the Prime Minister, Naidu said. Union Minister for Civil Aviation K Ram Mohan Naidu the naming of the airport as Alluri Sitarama Raju would take the name of the revolutionary who fought for freedom across the world. AP Minister Nara Lokesh said the NDA government in the State was committed to the all round development of the north Andhra region. G B S Raju, Business Chairman, GMR Airports said the Greenfiled airport, developed on 2200 acres by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Airport Ltd (GVIAL), was developed with a long term vision to unlock opportunities in trade, tourism, cargo and aviation - related industries. Kanwarbir Singh Kalra, CEO, GVIAL said built ahead of schedule, the airport was designed as a future ready, technology enabled gateway.Developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode by the GMR Group at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore, the Greenfield airport has been designed to handle 6 million passengers annually which can be scaled up to 40 million passengers. The integrated passenger terminal, designed in the shape of a locally found flying fish called Parava Meenu, reflects the culture and heritage of Andhra Pradesh.Published on August 1, 2026
