Jagan Lays Foundation For 4,592 Cr Bhogapuram International Airport

In a major infrastructural boost for Uttarandhra, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy today laid the foundation stone for multiple projects in Vizianagaram.

These included the Bhogapuram international airport (Rs 4,592 crore), the Vizag tech park (Rs 21,844 crore), the Tarakarama Tirtha Sagaram project (Rs 194.4 crore) and the Chintapalli Fish Land centre (Rs 23.73 crore).

Addressing a public meeting in the city, Jagan reiterated that Visakhapatnam would be the administrative capital of the State from September, and that his government would go the extra mile to implement the promises made to the people of North Andhra.

"The commencement of work on the Bhogapuram international airport is evidence that our government is taking a comprehensive approach to transforming Uttarandhra. This airport, along with other initiatives, is intended to spur development in North Andhra and make it a hub for jobs in the coming days. The airport and the Vizag tech park will be the jewels of Uttarandhra and the epicentre of its glory," the CM said.

Jagan said that the new airport would have two runways by 2026. Facilities would be provided to cater to 60 lakh people per year in the first phase, and later upgraded to cater to four crore people. The government aimed to make arrangements for A-380 double-decker flights to land at the airport, he said.

The CM added, "The TDP government laid the foundation stone for this airport in 2019 just two months ahead of elections, without taking any land permits. That is how they fooled the public. However, all the necessary permits for the airport have been acquired by the YSRCP government. No conspiracy can stop development as long as I have your (public) blessings."

Sharing his joy on the laying of the foundation stone, the Chairman of the GMR group Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao, which will be executing the project, said, "Today is one of the happiest days of my life. The foundation stone for the first airport that I constructed was laid by late Y S Rajasekhar Reddy, and today his son, CM Jagan, is laying the foundation stone for an airport in my own hometown. It's a proud moment for me."

MD of Adani group Rajesh Adani added, "CM Jagan is a uniquely visionary leader, who achieved 70% GDP growth without compromising on social welfare. Gram Sachivalayams and Navaratnalus are truly a benchmark governance that every State could follow."