PM Modi inaugurates Bhogapuram airport: 13,500 tribal women to perform Dhimsa dance
Synopsis
When Prime Minister Modi lands at Bhogapuram on Saturday, he will be greeted by 13,500 tribal women performing the Dhimsa dance — a Guinness World Record attempt that doubles as a statement of Andhra Pradesh's cultural identity. Behind the spectacle is a ₹5,640 crore greenfield airport and a ₹17,900 crore infrastructure package that the state hopes will finally put North Andhra on the national investment map.
Key Takeaways
PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram on 2 August 2025 .
13,500 tribal women will perform the traditional Dhimsa dance , targeting a Guinness World Record .
The greenfield airport was developed under PPP mode at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore and is designed for 6 million passengers annually .
Modi will also inaugurate and dedicate development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore in Bhogapuram.
Chandrababu Naidu , Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan , and Civil Aviation Minister K.
Ram Mohan Naidu will attend the event.
The inauguration is themed 'Giving Wings to North Andhra's Dreams' , with curtain-raiser events held at Rushikonda Beach and Visakhapatnam Beach Road on Friday.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district on Saturday, 2 August 2025, with 13,500 tribal women performing the traditional 'Dhimsa' dance to welcome him — a display that officials say will set a Guinness World Record. The greenfield airport, developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore, is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually.
Grand Cultural Welcome at Bhogapuram
The Andhra Pradesh government has arranged an elaborate reception for the Prime Minister, who is expected to arrive at Bhogapuram around 11 am. The mass Dhimsa performance by 13,500 tribal women is intended to set a Guinness World Record, according to state officials. The airport terminal itself has been decorated to reflect the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh, featuring Etikoppaka artwork at the welcome gate and displays of leather puppetry, the Bobbili Veena, and imagery of the Banganapalli mango — a symbol of the state's geographical heritage.
What Modi Will Inaugurate and Dedicate
After a walk-through of the passenger terminal building, the Prime Minister will formally inaugurate the airport at around 11:30 am. He will also lay the foundation stone for and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore in Bhogapuram. Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu will be present at the event.
Chandrababu Reviews Arrangements
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday held a video conference with senior officials to review preparations for the inauguration. Officials confirmed that all arrangements have been completed. The event is being held under the theme 'Giving Wings to North Andhra's Dreams', reflecting the state government's focus on boosting connectivity in the region.
Curtain-Raiser Events and Tourism Push
A curtain-raiser event was held at Rushikonda Beach in Visakhapatnam on Friday, attended by State Tourism, Culture, and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh. A drone show was also staged along the Visakhapatnam Beach Road in the evening. Minister Durgesh underscored that efficient connectivity — via rail, road, air, and waterways — is critical to attracting industries and generating large-scale employment for youth in the North Andhra region.
Economic Impact and Connectivity
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is expected to provide a significant boost to tourism, trade, investment, and employment in Andhra Pradesh. With a designed capacity of 6 million passengers per year, the airport is positioned as a gateway for North Andhra's economic development. This inauguration marks a major infrastructure milestone for the region, which has long sought improved air connectivity to match its industrial and tourism potential.
Point of View
And the 'Giving Wings to North Andhra's Dreams' framing is a deliberate signal to that constituency. The Guinness World Record attempt with 13,500 tribal women is also notable — it centres Adivasi identity in a high-visibility national event, which is unusual. The harder question is whether a 6-million-passenger-capacity airport can generate sustainable traffic in a region where industry and tourism are still nascent. Connectivity without demand is infrastructure without impact.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport and who is inaugurating it?
The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is located at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating it on 2 August 2025.
Why is the Dhimsa dance performance at Bhogapuram significant?
A total of 13,500 tribal women will perform the traditional Dhimsa dance to welcome PM Modi, an event officials say will set a Guinness World Record. The performance is intended to showcase the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh's tribal communities.
How much did the Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport cost to build?
The airport was developed under the Public-Private Partnership model at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore. It is designed to handle 6 million passengers annually.
What other projects will PM Modi inaugurate at Bhogapuram?
In addition to the airport, Modi will lay the foundation stone for, inaugurate, and dedicate to the nation multiple development projects worth over ₹17,900 crore in Bhogapuram during the same visit.
Who else will attend the Bhogapuram airport inauguration?
Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu are among the dignitaries scheduled to attend.
