Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram and launched development projects worth ₹18,000 crore, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to transforming Andhra Pradesh into a major coastal economic and manufacturing hub.
Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister praised the Andhra Pradesh government’s strategic vision to develop the state’s coastline as a comprehensive Coastal Economic Corridor, integrating ports, airports, highways and rail infrastructure to strengthen trade, logistics and industrial growth.
Developed by GMR Group, the new airport is scheduled to commence commercial flight operations on August 17. Modi said naming the airport after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju reflected the government’s commitment to honouring India’s national heroes. Taking a swipe at previous governments, he remarked that airports were once named after only one political family but that practice had now changed.
Highlighting the Centre’s focus on the Blue Economy, the Prime Minister said India is pursuing the sustainable development of its coastal and marine resources to generate economic growth, employment and environmental sustainability.
Modi outlined plans to transform Andhra Pradesh’s coastline into an integrated economic corridor by modernising existing ports from Visakhapatnam to Krishnapatnam while developing new maritime hubs at Mulapeta and Ramayapatnam. He noted that recently completed expressway projects were significantly improving regional connectivity and logistics efficiency.
The Prime Minister also announced that railway projects worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore are currently under implementation in the state, including network electrification and the modernisation of more than 70 railway stations.
Emphasising the role of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Modi said the integrated approach to rail, road, port and airport connectivity would reduce logistics costs, improve cargo movement, benefit farmers and enhance ease of doing business.
Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s industrial potential, Modi said the state is emerging as an attractive destination for global investments and is well positioned to become a major manufacturing centre. He praised the state’s skilled workforce, particularly in information technology, and said investments in artificial intelligence, data centres and digital infrastructure would create significant employment opportunities.
Referring to Google’s recently announced USD 15 billion campus investment, the Prime Minister said global technology companies increasingly view Andhra Pradesh as a preferred investment destination, creating new opportunities for local youth.
Beyond the technology sector, Modi highlighted the Centre’s support for the proposed Pharma Park at Nakkapalli, saying it would help establish Andhra Pradesh as one of India’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs.
The Prime Minister also reiterated the government’s ambition to develop the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) into one of Asia’s leading economic centres through sustained investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, logistics and industry.
Highlighting India’s aviation growth, Modi noted that the number of operational airports has increased from 74 in 2014 to 166, attributing the expansion to the success of the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme, which has made air travel more accessible to people in smaller cities.
The Prime Minister said the combination of multimodal infrastructure, industrial investments, port-led development and enhanced connectivity would accelerate Andhra Pradesh’s emergence as a key driver of India’s economic growth and global trade competitiveness.
