PM Modi inaugurates Bhogapuram International Airport and projects worth Rs 18,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram and several other development projects totaling nearly Rs 18,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh on August 1, 2026. The new airport, described as the Gateway to North Andhra, was built at a cost of approximately Rs 4,727 crore to Rs 5,700 crore. It features a 3,800 metre runway capable of handling wide body aircraft and is designed to handle six million passengers annually in its first phase, with a master plan to expand to 40 million. The airport was developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited under a Public Private Partnership model.

Beyond the airport, the Prime Minister launched several infrastructure and energy projects. These include the Rs 460 crore ASIP Semiconductor Project in Visakhapatnam, which is the state's first approved semiconductor facility, and the Kurnool Wind and Solar Energy Zones worth Rs 5,550 crore. Additionally, the Prime Minister laid foundation stones for National Highway projects worth over Rs 1,880 crore and a high level bridge at Lingasamudram.

During the event, PM Modi highlighted the growth of India's aviation sector, noting that the number of airports increased from 74 to 166 over the last 12 years. He stated that the airport would serve as a launch pad for the region's youth and economic growth. Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat called the inauguration a historic milestone that would boost tourism, trade, and industrial investment in North Andhra.

Reporting on the event varied by political lean. Center right framing emphasized the National Democratic Alliance government's development model and the benefits of a double engine government. Center left framing focused on the regional impact for North Andhra and the collaborative efforts between the state and central governments. Center framing provided a detailed list of the specific financial investments and technical specifications of the projects while noting the Prime Minister's political criticism of the Congress party.