Finance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district, close here, on Saturday.
After landing at Greenfield Airport’s runway, the Prime Minister inaugurated the passenger terminal building and led a walk-through with Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu.
The GMR Group’s top leadership and the Civil Aviation Minister briefed the Prime Minister on the airport’s unique features.
The terminal was adorned to reflect Andhra Pradesh’s culture, traditions, and arts.
PM Modi examined large-scale Etikoppaka artwork displayed at the airport’s welcome gate.
When the Prime Minister exited the airport and boarded a special van with the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and others to attend the public meeting, tribal women performed the traditional ‘Dhimsa’ dance to greet him.
According to officials, 13,500 indigenous women performed the ‘Dhimsa’ dance, which set a Guinness World Record.
The Prime Minister was spotted applauding the vibrant and stunning dance performance by indigenous women.
PM Modi will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate several development projects totaling over ₹17,900 crore in Bhogapuram. He will also address the audience.
The Greenfield airport, developed through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) at a cost of about ₹5,640 crore, is expected to handle 6 million passengers annually.
The airport is intended to significantly improve tourism, trade, investment, and employment in Andhra Pradesh, as well as strengthen regional aviation connections.
The passenger terminal building was built to offer a modern, smooth, and efficient travel experience.
The airport integrates innovative infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies, and environmentally friendly features to improve operational efficiency and fulfill future aviation needs.
The airport is outfitted with cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Building Information Modelling (BIM), Airside 4.0, Airport Predictive Operations Centre (APOC), biometric passenger processing, automated baggage handling systems, and intelligent operational monitoring solutions. These solutions are expected to increase operating efficiency, improve passenger comfort and safety, and optimize resource utilization.
