Flights from Bhogapuram to foreign destinations could begin shortly, according to Andhra Pradesh Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty (SERP) and NRI Empowerment, Kondapalli Srinivas. With the inauguration of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on August 1 and its planned start of commercial operations on August 17, residents of north Andhra Pradesh may soon be able to fly directly to international destinations such as the United States, Europe and Australia from the new airport. This development would eliminate the need for travelers from the region to journey to major cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru or Mumbai to access international flights. Minister Srinivas told The Hindu during an exclusive interview that direct flights to airports such as Heathrow or New York are possible within the near future. He highlighted the significance of the Telugu diaspora, estimating their global population at around 30 lakh, with approximately four to five lakh individuals originating from north Andhra. The minister emphasized that the new airport, developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, is not only modern but also capable of handling large international aircraft. GMR Group, which operates the airport, is expected to play a key role in expanding connectivity and promoting the region’s economic prospects. Currently, the Bhogapuram airport operates 34 flights daily, including two international routes, one to Abu Dhabi and another to Singapore. According to the minister, there is potential to increase flight numbers further. Proposals are underway for additional flights to Hyderabad and Bengaluru, while services to new destinations such as Coimbatore, Pune and Varanasi are also being considered. His immediate goal is to achieve an annual passenger count of 50 lakh, reflecting the airport’s anticipated impact on regional mobility and commerce. The minister described the Bhogapuram airport as a crucial driver for economic growth in north Andhra. He noted that the area was selected due to its strategic location, nearly equidistant from six districts including Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Srikakulam, Parvathipuram Manyam, Vizianagaram and Alluri Sitarama Raju. The airport is expected to enhance both passenger and cargo logistics, particularly for high-value goods such as agricultural produce, processed foods, pharmaceuticals and aquaculture exports. Improved connectivity is projected to attract major investments, including from companies like ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel, Google, Reliance data centres, Cognizant, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and other industries from West Bengal and aluminium smelting units. Minister Srinivas also mentioned that many communities from north Andhra have migrated for employment opportunities. He noted that the state’s average age is 32, underscoring the urgency of creating local job opportunities. To address this, the Minister for Human Resource Development, Nara Lokesh, has been engaging with IT firms based in Delhi to foster employment growth in the region. The airport’s development aligns with broader efforts to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the state. While the focus so far has been on air transport, other initiatives, such as the Indian Railways' plans to develop 15 railway stations under the PPP model and expand 764 kilometers of new rail lines in Bihar’s Seemanchal region, reflect a national push toward enhancing transportation networks. These projects underscore the importance of integrated infrastructure in driving regional development and economic activity.
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