| Work Detail |
Andhra Pradesh is significantly accelerating its airport and port development efforts following the formation of the NDA government in the state. Key initiatives include fast-tracking ongoing projects and finalizing a series of new proposals.
The greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram, managed by the GMR Group, is set to benefit from the full support of Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, MP from the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The first phase of this major project is scheduled to be completed by mid-2026.
In addition to the airport, a 500-acre economic hub is being planned near Bhogapuram to boost aviation and other industries. The area between the airport and Visakhapatnam is expected to transform into a prominent industrial zone, attracting substantial investment.
The Central government is also exploring the feasibility of establishing a new airport in Anantapur, which lies near Bengaluru in Karnataka. Andhra Pradesh currently operates three international and three domestic airports.
In the maritime sector, the Ministry of Ports has received 29 new proposals from Andhra Pradesh, totaling approximately ?3,300 crore. These proposals include a range of projects such as port development, coastal berths, and fish landing centers. The Sagarmala scheme is already supporting 13 projects in the state, valued at around ?2,500 crore, which encompass various improvements like Ro-Pax and passenger jetties, fishing harbours, port modernization, and skill development.
The Visakhapatnam Port Authority and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) are actively working on 36 projects in Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of ?4,600 crore. Of these, 22 projects worth
?2,530 crore have been completed, including an international cruise-cum-coastal terminal at Visakhapatnam Port.
Out of the 29 proposed new projects, the ports ministry has partially funded four, amounting to ?1,200 crore. The development plans for Bhavanapadu, Ramayapatnam, and Machilipatnam Ports are being restructured to seek additional funding through the PM GatiShakti scheme. Projects related to coastal berths and fish landing centers are awaiting approval from the Ministry of Finance.
Work on four new ports—Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu, Kakinada Gateway, and Machilipatnam—is anticipated to accelerate under the new administration. These ports are expected to enhance the state’s cargo handling capacity by 110 million tonnes and generate 75,000 new jobs. Additionally, the government is investing in upgrading facilities at the state’s existing six ports. |
