Published Aug 01, 2026 | 2:25 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2026 | 2:25 PM
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Bhogapuram International Airport
Synopsis: Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu opened his address by thanking the farmers whose land the airport stands on. “First of all, I bow to all the farmers. You did not just give land, you gave North Andhra a golden future,” he said. “International companies like Google and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel had come to North Andhra and more investment would follow. Two years ago, Pawan Kalyan and I had promised to rebuild Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, and the promise had been kept.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, 1 August, inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh.
The Prime Minister reached the venue by 11 AM, along with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, and was welcomed with the Dhimsa, a famous tribal folk dance, by 13,000 Adivasi women.
After the inauguration, Modi wrote on X: “Delighted to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. This is a landmark project that will strengthen connectivity and accelerate Andhra Pradesh’s growth. This airport brings together advanced infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies to ensure a seamless travel experience. It will give a major boost to tourism, trade, investment and employment. The terminal building also celebrates the cultural identity of Andhra Pradesh. Named after the great Alluri Sitarama Raju, this airport represents pride in our heritage and a spirit of optimism towards our future.”
Delighted to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. This is a landmark project that will strengthen connectivity and accelerate Andhra Pradesh’s growth.
This airport brings together advanced infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies to ensure… pic.twitter.com/9FkHVVh7ua
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
Andhra Pradesh Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu were also present at the venue.
Also Read: Finally, take-off time: The story behind the Bhogapuram International Airport
The airport is designed to handle six million passengers annually in its first phase.
The world-class Greenfield Airport features a 5 MW solar power plant, rainwater harvesting, water recycling, and integrated waste management systems.
The airport is expected to boost tourism, trade, exports, investment, employment, and connectivity across North Andhra, including Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam, while paving the way for a future aerotropolis and aviation hub.
Constructed over nearly 2,700 acres with an estimated investment exceeding ₹4,500 crore, the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport is designed to international standards. Its 3.8-kilometre Code 4E runway can handle wide-body international aircraft. Considering the east coast’s vulnerability to cyclones, the airport incorporates resilient engineering standards and an advanced drainage system to ensure uninterrupted operations during extreme weather.
Speaking of the Dhimsa dance, Modi said on X, “I am deeply touched by the special gesture of over 13,000 students performing the vibrant Dhimsa dance during the inauguration of the Bhogapuram Airport. This extraordinary gesture reflects the warmth of the people of Andhra Pradesh and the richness of the state’s heritage, especially that of the tribal communities.”
I am deeply touched with the special gesture of over 13,000 students performing the vibrant Dhimsa dance during the inauguration of the Bhogapuram Airport. This extraordinary gesture reflects the warmth of the people of Andhra Pradesh and the richness of the state’s heritage,… pic.twitter.com/kdZoaoFiCo
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 1, 2026
According to reports, the performance set a Guinness World Record on Friday, when representatives of the body certified it as the largest Dhimsa dance and presented the certificate to Tribal Welfare Minister Gummidi Sandhya Rani. Officials said the dancers were arranged in 433 groups in concentric circles to welcome the Prime Minister on Saturday.
Speaking at the event, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu noted that the Bhogapuram Airport is equidistant to many towns and cities of the North Andhra region and will act as an entryway for opportunities and development.
He added that in future, many companies, including international companies, will arrive in the North Andhra region. Minister Rammohan Naidu further called the youth to follow the two visions, Swarna Andhra vision by Chief Minister Chandrababu and Viksit Bharat by Prime Minister Modi, to make the country and state stronger.
Ending his speech, the Union Minister credited the chief minister for sowing the seeds for Bhogapuram Airport. “In 2014, after the state was divided, Chandrababu Naidu had said that an airport in the area is necessary to make it a growth engine.”
IT Minister Nara Lokesh, at the event, remembering the freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, said, “If Alluri brought freedom to this land, Prime Minister Modi gave wings to the dreams of Utharandhra. NaMo means courage, trust, safe Bharat, and fear in the enemies.” He added, “We have lost a lot due to state division, but NaMo has helped us through it.”
Also Read: Bhogapuram Airport: Taking North Andhra to new heights
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, speaking at the inauguration event, said, “As we dedicate this airport to the nation, what comes to my mind is: Rooted in Alluri’s ideals, and driven by the aspirations of our people, Andhra Pradesh is ready to soar to greater heights.”
Referring to the prime minister and the recent Jantar Mantar protests, Pawan Kalyan said, “The tree that bears fruits only gets hit by stones. Similarly, only a hard-working member gets abused.”
“We have come from the times when we mortgaged gold. From those times, for over a decade, he has been leading the nation as the prime minister. Many people in the past few days have been abusing him verbally; I was very disturbed by that. What does the new generation know about the hardships he faced by him? He had not taken a day’s leave.”
“On one side, he had to fight against the external forces jealous of our growth; on the other side, he had to fight the internal forces while trying to take the country towards development. For such a man, all we can do is stand by him.”
Addressing the parents of Gen Z, the deputy chief minister said, “To the parents whose children are under 25 years of age, I am advising you, it is important to lead them in the correct path, and teach them culture.”
“I have seen the PM’s video message this morning; even after people abused him, with a big heart, he forgave them,” Kalyan said, referring to Saturday morning’s video message.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu opened his address by thanking the farmers whose land were used for the airport. “First of all, I bow to all the farmers. You did not just give land, you gave North Andhra a golden future,” he said.
“International companies like Google and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel had come to North Andhra and more investment would follow. Two years ago, Pawan Kalyan and I had promised to rebuild Andhra Pradesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, and the promise had been kept.”
“To the region that was humiliated, to the region where they said ‘red bus’ would not come, an air bus has come,” the chief minister said, adding, “Narendra Modi is the person who helped build Andhra Pradesh, which was on ventilator.”
Addressing Modi, Naidu said, “Democratic countries everywhere are facing a crisis searching for new leaders. India is fortunate. There is a tested leadership, 25 years as CM and PM, Narendra Modi ji has done extraordinary work.”
Mentioning Jandhan and digital payments, the chief minister said, “He is the only leader in the democratic world, with knowledge, technology, and the ability to carry the 144 crore people, and take this nation forward. In the last 12 years, all of us have to compare the tremendous track record of the prime minister.”
Addressing the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today is an important day for the development of Andhra, and the vision of Suvarna Andhra.”
Speaking of the airport, he said it had come up on the land where Alluri Sitarama Raju gave his life for the welfare of tribal people. “The airport was a runway for growth in Andhra Pradesh and north Andhra, he said, and a launchpad for a better future for the State’s youth.”
Taking a dig at the Congress, Modi said, “Earlier, all airports would be named after one family; we broke that tradition. In Ayodhya, we named the airport after Valmiki, and this airport will be named after Alluri Sitarama Raju.”
Apart from the airport inauguration, the prime minister also laid the foundation stones of the ASIP Semiconductor Project, and the Transmission System for Integration of Kurnool-IV Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) – Phase-I.
Key road projects such as the four-lane highway between Recherla and Guruvaygudem on NH-365BG and Guruvaygudem to Devarapalle section of NH-365BG, as well as the Tadipatri Bypass on NH-67, will also be dedicated to the nation.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
