Narendra Modi Inaugurates Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport in Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district, on July 31, 2026. Developed by the GMR Group under a public-private partnership, the greenfield airport cost between 4,700 crore and 5,640 crore rupees. The facility is designed to eventually handle one crore passengers annually, with the first phase accommodating six million. Commercial operations are scheduled to begin August 17, with Air India providing initial flights to Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Vijayawada, effectively replacing civilian operations at the INS Dega naval airbase.

During the visit, Modi launched a broader suite of development projects totaling 17,900 crore rupees. These include the foundation stone for the ASIP Semiconductor Project in Visakhapatnam, the state's first approved semiconductor manufacturing facility, and the Swami Vivekananda Youth Centre in Mysore. He also initiated several National Highway projects exceeding 1,880 crore rupees and POWERGRID transmission systems for renewable energy zones in Kurnool and Ananthapuram.

The inauguration featured a traditional Dhimsa dance performed by up to 15,000 tribal women in a Guinness World Record attempt. The Government of Andhra Pradesh invested over 1,500 crore rupees in supporting infrastructure for the event. IT Minister Nara Lokesh described the airport as a transformational asset for the Visakhapatnam economic region.