PM Modi inaugurates Bhogapuram Airport, Andhra Pradesh's new ₹5,640 crore gateway
Synopsis
Prime Minister Modi inaugurated Andhra Pradesh's newest international airport at Bhogapuram on 1 August — a ₹5,640 crore GMR-built greenfield facility designed for 6 million passengers a year. The launch was accompanied by a Guinness World Record Dhimsa dance by 13,500 tribal women and a ₹17,900 crore development push for the region.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram on 1 August .
The airport was developed under the PPP model at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore by the GMR Group .
The facility is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually and features AI, biometric processing, and Airside 4.0 technology.
13,500 tribal women performed the traditional Dhimsa dance , reportedly setting a Guinness World Record .
Modi also launched and dedicated development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore in Bhogapuram at the public meeting.
The airport is expected to boost tourism, trade, and employment across Andhra Pradesh .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 1 August inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, marking a landmark moment for aviation connectivity in the state. The ₹5,640 crore Greenfield airport, developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually.
Inauguration Highlights
After landing directly on the airport's runway, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the passenger terminal building and conducted a walk-through alongside Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu. Senior leadership of the GMR Group — which developed the airport — briefed the Prime Minister on its special features during the tour.
The terminal has been decorated to celebrate the culture, traditions, and arts of Andhra Pradesh. Modi paused to closely examine large-scale Etikoppaka artwork displayed at the airport's welcome gate — a traditional lacquerware craft native to the region.
Guinness Record-Breaking Dhimsa Performance
As the Prime Minister stepped out of the terminal and proceeded to the public meeting venue, 13,500 tribal women performed the traditional 'Dhimsa' dance to welcome him — a performance that, according to officials, created a Guinness World Record. Modi was visibly moved by the performance, clapping in appreciation of the colourful cultural display.
₹17,900 Crore Development Blitz
At the public meeting, Prime Minister Modi laid foundation stones for, inaugurated, and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore in Bhogapuram. The scale of investment signals the Centre's commitment to accelerating infrastructure growth in Andhra Pradesh, which has been rebuilding its development momentum since bifurcation in 2014.
Airport Features and Technology
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport incorporates a suite of advanced technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Airside 4.0 systems, an Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC), biometric passenger processing, automated baggage handling, and intelligent operational monitoring. These systems are expected to enhance passenger safety, convenience, and operational efficiency. The terminal has been designed for a modern, seamless travel experience while incorporating sustainable infrastructure features to meet future aviation demands.
The airport is expected to provide a significant boost to tourism, trade, investment, and employment in Andhra Pradesh, while strengthening air connectivity across the region. With the inauguration complete, attention now turns to the airport's first commercial flight operations and the pace at which airlines announce routes to and from Bhogapuram.
Point of View
And Andhra Pradesh has been pressing for better connectivity since bifurcation left it without a capital-city airport for years. The ₹5,640 crore PPP structure with GMR is the right model in principle, but the airport's success will hinge on airline route commitments and passenger throughput, not inauguration optics. The ₹17,900 crore broader investment blitz announced alongside it suggests the Centre is using Bhogapuram as a political and economic anchor for the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition's home turf — a dynamic worth watching as project timelines are tracked against delivery.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Bhogapuram airport located?
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is located at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, near Visakhapatnam. It is a greenfield facility developed under the PPP model by the GMR Group.
What is the passenger capacity of the Bhogapuram airport?
The airport has been designed to handle 6 million passengers annually. It features advanced technologies including AI-based systems, biometric passenger processing, and automated baggage handling.
How much did the Bhogapuram greenfield airport cost to build?
The airport was developed at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement involving the GMR Group and the government.
What is the significance of the Dhimsa dance at the inauguration?
13,500 tribal women performed the traditional Dhimsa dance to welcome Prime Minister Modi, a performance that officials say created a Guinness World Record. The Dhimsa is a folk dance native to the tribal communities of Andhra Pradesh.
What other projects did PM Modi launch at Bhogapuram?
Alongside the airport inauguration, PM Modi laid foundation stones for and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore in Bhogapuram at a public meeting held on the same day.
