GMR Group to build smart airport at Bhogapuram
Greenfield project will be a new generation and technology enabled airport with a focus on environment sustainability and social development of the region
AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy with GMR Group Chairman GM Rao and others during the event of laying foundation stone for new Bhogapuram airport on Wednesday
- Allotted 2,203.26 acres in Bhogapuram mandal
- First phase cost of the project is Rs 4,592 crore
- Initial capacity is six million passengers per annum
- First phase will be completed within 36 months
- International and Domestic cargo terminal of 5,000 sq mtrs
- 404 families from four villages accommodated in two new R&R layouts
- Direct jobs around 10,000, indirect jobs of 80,000
Visakhapatnam: Once it is fully completed, the Bhogapuram International Airport being built by the GMR Group expects to handle 40 million passengers per annum.
It will be a smart airport proposed to be developed with green construction technologies. The greenfield airport will be a smart airport with a focus on environment sustainability and social development of the region through an inclusive approach.
The airport, for which bhoomi puja was performed on Wednesday, has been allotted 2,203.26 acres in Bhogapuram mandal of Vizianagaram district, about 45 km from Visakhapatnam after getting clearances from the legal authorities.
The estimated cost of the first phase of the project is Rs 4,592 crore. Bhogapuram Airport’s initial capacity will be six million passengers per annum. Based on demand, it will be increased.
The construction of the first phase will be completed within 36 months from the start of construction. The airport will also be a new generation and technology enabled airport that will provide an enhanced passenger experience.
Salient features
There will be a provision for development of an integrated logistics ecosystem, excellent road connectivity to the ports and major highways form part of the blueprint. A dedicated International and Domestic cargo terminal of 5,000 sq mtrs to be developed in the first phase. It will have modern facilities to handle all major commodities and cater to special needs of wide-body freighter operations. The project proponent will provide pharma cold chain related facilities. The cargo terminal and proposed logistics ecosystem will provide an efficient global EXIM gateway. Gateway to be used for numerous industries from the North and East Andhra region and adjoining States.
R&R package
As part of rehabilitation and resettlement scheme designed by Andhra Pradesh Government, 404 families from four villages are being accommodated in two new R&R layouts. Each family is given 240 square yards and a financial support of Rs 9.5 lakh towards cost of construction and relocation.
All community and social amenities like roads and drains, electricity, drinking water facilities, schools and parks, cooperative stores have been provided in both the R&R layouts. All the project displaced families have voluntarily vacated and took shelters in their newly constructed houses.
Changing the landscape
The government says the development of Bhogapuram International Airport will act as an economic multiplier in the growth of Andhra Pradesh, in general and accelerate the promotion of tourism in the Northern Andhra region, in particular. It will provide direct and indirect employment in and around the airport region.
During construction, it is expected to create direct jobs to around 5,000 and at the time of operation phase, direct jobs to around 10,000. Indirect jobs through supply chain multiplier effect is projected to be around 80,000 and induced impact through tourism and investment is projected to be around 5 lakh. The State Government hopes to receive substantial revenues from operation of the airport from 11th year of operations.
