An ultra-modern airport set to dot aviation map of India

Bhogapuram (Vizianagaram dist): Bhogapuram International Airport, a greenfield project in North Andhra, which saw several trials and tribulations, is finally getting ready to take off as a futuristic airport with the GMR Group announcing its preparedness to launch commercial operations from June, 2026.

"We will be inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate it as the airport is all set to become a major game-changer for North Coastal Andhra," Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said after landing at the airport in an Air India airbus--the first commercial validation flight, signifying airworthiness and the GMR Group's success in adhering to the strict protocols stipulated by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other regulators.

This will be first among few smart airports in India. Besides the airport, there will be an aero city, MRO complex and an aviation education hub on 136 acres donated by MANSAS Trust. The contribution of Goa Governor P Ashok Gajapathi Raju, during whose stint as Civil Aviation Minister the foundation stone for the airport was laid in 2018, was made a special mention at the meeting held on Sunday by Rammohan Naidu.

The airport is being developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Ltd (GVIAL) under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate & Transfer (DBFOT) model. The project aims to create a world-class aviation hub in Andhra Pradesh, enhancing connectivity and driving economic growth in the region.

ATC (Air Traffic Control) Tower is spread over 7165 sq. metres with a designed wind load of 295 kmph, height of 55 metres. As part of airside infrastructure, it will have a runway of 3,800 m, parallel taxiway of 3,000 m, apron comprising 18 aircraft stands (Code C equivalent) ),

"It will be a futuristic airport with configuration with all high intensity LED lights (1400 nos) with all world class infrastructure and ecosystem required for an ultra modern airport," a senior official of GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport (GVIA) told Bizz Buzz.

Important salient features of the project include allotment of 2,203.26 acres for the airport and for city-side development 154 acres. residential development 139 acres, airside 1180 acres, landside 730 acres.

The concession agreement is for 40 years + 20 years (ROFR), which was signed in June 2020. The appointed date was December 14, 2023. Contractual completion date is December 13, 2026.

Construction of the project was awarded to Larsen & Toubro on EPC basis in 36 months. Engineers India Ltd is the independent engineer.

Phase 1 development Passenger Terminal Building (PTB) has been developed with an area of 77,342 sq. (Check In:3600 sq. Arrival Area 3700 sq., Forecourt area 10650 sq.). It will have a capacity to handle 6 million passengers per annum. The airport is designed to withstand a wind load of 275 kmph. It will have 22 (traditional) check-in counters plus 18 SBD (Self Baggage Drop), Screening ATRS: Domestic 7 and International 3, four domestic bus gates and one international bus gate. It will have 31 X-ray with 12 arrival and 14 departure counters. There will be 12 digi yatra pods and 9.6 km of landside roads.