Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Lays Foundation Stone for Bhogapuram International Airport being developed by GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd

2023-05-04

Paving the way for fostering economic growth and regional development, Honourable Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for Bhogapuram International Airport today in the presence of state ministers, senior government dignitaries and senior officials from GMR Group. Spread across 2203 acres of land, the much-awaited airport will be built by GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd, one of the leading airport developers globally.

The construction of the airport will generate about 6 lakh direct and indirect employment opportunities, provide improved connectivity, attract investments from businesses and industries from across the world, create opportunities for tourism and contribute to the overall development of the region.

To develop a world-class Greenfield airport at Visakhapatnam and serve future traffic growth requirements, the Government of Andhra Pradesh conducted a competitive bidding process for the development of the airport. GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd emerged as the preferred bidder. Subsequently, the Concession Agreement was executed for the development and operation of Bhogapuram International Airport.

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Hon’ble Chief Minister for Andhra Pradesh, Sri. Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “Today is a historic moment for our state as we lay the foundation stone for Bhogapuram International Airport. With its development, we take a major step forward in building a state that is not just progressive but also primed for global prominence. In the years to come, with the addition of this airport, our state will be the hub for business, trade and tourism. Construction of this airport in Vishakapatnam Executive Capital of the State will spur the development of Vizag and its surrounding regions. It will create job opportunities for the locals, herald infrastructure development and will be a gateway of connectivity for people in India and abroad. The Bhogapuram International Airport will also act as a hub for cargo and freight and facilitate trade within the state and beyond. I would like to congratulate GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd and other stakeholders who are playing a pivotal role in transforming our vision into a reality. I assure you that my government will provide all necessary support to ensure the timely completion of the project for the state and the nation at large.”

Commenting on the development, Mr GM Rao, Chairman, GMR Group, said, “We convey our deepest gratitude to the Government of Andhra Pradesh for giving us the opportunity to build this gateway to the future. This momentous occasion is a testament to our vision and determination to propel the region to greater heights. The new airport will enhance connectivity in the region, spur economic growth, foster sustainable development, drive innovation and create further job opportunities in this region. GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd with its extensive experience and expertise in building world-class airport infrastructure globally, aims to deliver seamless passenger experience and operational efficiency. We will continue to invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure and the latest innovations. We also extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our stakeholders for their support in shaping the future of airport infrastructure and promise that the airport will be a game-changer for the region.”

As per the concession agreement, GMR Airports Infrastructure Ltd will design, build, finance and operate the international airport for an initial term of 40 years. The first phase of the project is expected to be constructed in 3 years. Initially, the airport will serve 6 million passengers per annum. The airport will also have a dedicated state-of-the-art cargo terminal catering to exports, aerotropolis and airport city within the vicinity, ensuring world-class facilities for efficient cargo operations.