After 43 years, a PM to visit Vizianagaram: Modi to inaugurate Bhogapuram airport on August 1

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram on August 1, 2026.

Mr. Modi’s visit will be only the second by a Prime Minister to Vizianagaram district in 43 years. Indira Gandhi, then Prime Minister, addressed a Congress election meeting at the Maharaja Stadium in the Fort City in 1983. The GMR Group has built the airport at an estimated cost of ₹4,500 crore on 2,200 acres provided by the State government.

Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, MSME Minister Kondapalli Srinivas, Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy, Superintendent of Police A.R. Damodar and other senior officials reviewed the arrangements for the Prime Minister’s tour on Monday (July 20, 2026). Ms. Anitha directed police officials to ensure foolproof security arrangements in accordance with the guidelines of the Union government. Mr. Ramsundar Reddy said the pending works on the approach road had been completed, and vehicles would face no issue in entering the airport road from the NH.

Five places have been identified for the parking of nearly 6,000 vehicles. Heavy, continuous traffic on National Highway 16, which cannot be stopped or diverted, is a challenge for the police. Officials said security arrangements would be made without disturbing traffic on the NH-16 stretch connecting Chennai and Kolkata.