Bhogapuram (Vizianagaram): Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on Saturday, marking the launch of post-bifurcation Andhra Pradesh’s first newly built greenfield airport. Alongside the airport launch, the Prime Minister dedicated and laid foundation stones for several state development projects with a combined value of approximately ₹17,900 crore.
Naming Philosophy and Regional Culture
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister highlighted the choice to name the airport after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju as part of an ongoing initiative to move away from naming major public assets after a single political family. He cited similar decisions at other recent projects, including the airports named after Maharishi Valmiki in Ayodhya and Sant Ravidas in Punjab. He also commended a record-setting performance by over 13,000 tribal women doing the traditional Dhimsa dance at the event, calling it a meaningful showcase of regional heritage alongside modern infrastructure.
Expansion of National Air Connectivity
Reviewing progress in the aviation sector, the Prime Minister noted that India’s active airports grew from 74 in 2014 to 166 today. He pointed to the second phase of the UDAN regional connectivity scheme—backed by a ₹29,000 crore budget—as a key driver in making air travel accessible for residents of smaller towns. He also referenced new aviation operational models, such as the route connecting Kashi to Amritsar, to demonstrate how regional air hubs can link directly to global destinations.
Industrial Push for Visakhapatnam Region
The Prime Minister outlined plans to build the Visakhapatnam Economic Region into a primary industrial hub aimed at attracting high-tech manufacturing and creating local jobs. Key foundation stones laid in the region include a semiconductor manufacturing unit in Visakhapatnam and a bulk drug pharmaceutical park in Nakkapalli. He also pointed to major private sector commitments, including Google’s proposed $15 billion AI and cloud infrastructure facility, alongside ₹5 lakh crore in green energy investments across the Rayalaseema region.
Logistics Integration and State Governance
To support industrial growth, the Prime Minister emphasized the role of a unified transport network linking air, sea, and land infrastructure through the PM Gati Shakti Master Plan. “Current maritime work includes modernizing existing ports at Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam, alongside constructing new ports at Mulapeta and Ramayapatnam. These projects are supported by ongoing railway investments worth ₹1 lakh crore, 100 percent rail network electrification in the state, and high-speed road links like the Visakhapatnam-Raipur Expressway.” He added.
The Prime Minister noted that direct coordination between the Union Government and state leadership under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan remains essential to executing these goals under the Swarna Andhra vision.
