PM Modi to inaugurate India's fastest-built greenfield airport at Bhogapuram

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, popularly known as Bhogapuram International Airport, on August 1, 2026. The airport is located at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, about 55 km from Visakhapatnam. Commercial operations are set to begin on August 17, 2026. The project has been developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, at a cost of ₹4,727 crore, completed in 31 months, nearly five months ahead of schedule.

Bhogapuram International Airport is India's fastest-built greenfield airport

The rapid 31-month construction timeline positions Bhogapuram as one of the fastest-built greenfield airports in the country, exceeding earlier project targets and reflecting accelerated execution under the current state and central governments.

Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport Core Infrastructure & Technical Specifications

1. Total Area - 2,703.26 acres (Core airport: 2,203 acres; Aviation hub: 500 acres; EduCity: 136 acres) o
2. Runway Length - 3,800 metres, Code-E, capable of handling wide-body aircraft like Boeing 787 and 777
3. Phase 1 Capacity - 6 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA)
4. Master Plan Target - Expandable up to 40 MPPA
5. Cargo Capacity - 25,000 metric tonnes/year, with cold-chain facilities for pharma and marine exports
6. Aerodrome License - Issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 7, 2026

The terminal design draws on a "Flying Fish" theme, representing the Bay of Bengal and North Andhra's maritime heritage, with Rangoli/Muggulu-inspired interior motifs. Sustainability features include a 5 MW solar power plant, LED airfield lighting, and 30% of water needs met through recycled water and rainwater harvesting.

Visakhapatnam International Airport Regional Economic Impact

The airport is expected to serve as a growth catalyst for Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, supporting pharmaceutical and marine exports through dedicated cold-chain cargo facilities, boosting tourism to Araku and coastal circuits, and hosting an aviation hub with flight training and MRO facilities. The Andhra Pradesh government has drawn comparisons with how Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Shamshabad) transformed that region's economy.

Bhogapuram International Airport Operational Transition & Policy Framework

Following the August 1 inauguration, commercial flights will fully shift from the existing Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave (INS Dega) to Bhogapuram by August 17, 2026. The IATA airport code VTZ will transfer to the new facility, and the Visakhapatnam Civil Enclave will cease commercial operations for the next 30 years, remaining available only for military, VVIP and emergency use.