In a landmark moment for India’s civil aviation and regional economic infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the greenfield Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, near Visakhapatnam.
​The state-of-the-art international gateway—built at a cost of over ₹5,000 crore—fulfills a long-awaited demand of the people of North Coastal Andhra. Developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL), the airport represents one of the fastest-completed greenfield aviation projects in India, opening nearly five months ahead of schedule.
​The inauguration ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu.
​Cultural Grandeur & A World-Record Welcome
​The grand opening showcased the rich heritage, tribal culture, and hospitality of Andhra Pradesh:
​Guinness World Record Dhimsa Performance: Over 13,000 tribal women performed the traditional Dhimsa folk dance along the venue route, setting a Guinness World Record to mark the occasion.
​30,000-Plant Aerial Display: A massive green landscape installation using 30,000 plants—including Japanese Burning Bush grass—spelled out a welcome message visible to incoming aircraft from the air.
​Local Artistry On Display: The terminal entrance features large-scale Etikoppaka woodwork, and the roof geometry draws architectural inspiration from traditional Chuttilu cottages of the Araku Valley and the coastal flying fish, integrated with regional Rangoli art motifs.

Infrastructure Highlights & Technological Capabilities
​Built over 2,700 acres, the integrated project is designed not just as an airport, but as a holistic aviation ecosystem:
​Long-Haul Runway: Features a 3,800-metre Code-E runway, fully capable of accommodating long-haul wide-body aircraft such as the Boeing 777, Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330, and Airbus A340.
​Passenger Capacity: Designed to handle 6 million passengers annually in Phase 1, with a scalable master plan to expand capacity up to 40 million passengers per year.
​Next-Gen Passenger Tech: Equipped with contact boarding bridges, self-service baggage drop, Common Use Passenger Processing Systems (CUPPS), and smart security access controls.
​Sustainable Design: Built to LEED Platinum environmental standards, featuring a 30% recycled water management system.


During the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also dedicated and laid foundation stones for additional infrastructure and industrial projects across Andhra Pradesh worth nearly ₹18,000 crore, spanning semiconductor manufacturing, national highway corridors, and power grid developments.