CM reiterates commitment for decentralised development of State
Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the Rs 4,592-crore Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport on Wednesday, creating a runway for the all-round development of the North Andhra region.
The Chief Minister also laid foundation stones for the Rs 194.40-crore Taraka Rama Thirtha Sagaram project and the Rs 23.73-crore Chintapalli Fish Landing Centre in the district, virtually.
Addressing a public meeting later, the Chief Minister reiterated his commitment for the decentralised development of the State and said that the government would adhere to its policy of balanced development of every region, village and house.
The three districts of the North Andhra region have been reorganised into six districts as part of the decentralisation plans with one of them being named after Manyam warrior Alluri Seetarama Raju, who terrorised the British rulers, said the Chief Minister.
 The North Andhra region, which became famous as Kalinga Andhra with its unique culture, tradition and social movements, will soon be on the path of development, he said, adding that he would be shifting to Visakhapatnam in September.
Observing that the Bhogapuram International Airport, which would cater to 40 lakh passengers initially and grow to serve four crore passengers, would be the central point for Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts charging the façade of North Andhra region, known for migration of people. It would soon witness a reverse migration making it a job hub and attracting people from different regions.
He said the Bhogapuram Airport, spanning over an area of 2203 acres, was originally scheduled to be completed in 36 months, but he asked GMR Chairman G Mallikarjuna Rao to explore the options of completing it in two years. The GMR Chairman promised to make it operational in two-and-a-half years, he disclosed.
The new sea port in Srikakulam district, Bhogapuram International Airport and the proposed six-lane highway between Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram aided by the new medical colleges, medical tourism, Kidney Research Centre at Uddhanam, Tribal University at Saluru and the Tribal Engineering College in the region will totally change the landscape of North Andhra in the days to come, he said.
The Bhogapuram airport, which could not move an inch under the TDP rule, will now become a reality as the government has overcome all legal hurdles and completed land acquisition besides getting all clearances from the Centre and finishing the process of calling tenders, he said.
The airport will have two runways with the ability to handle the biggest A320 and A 380 flights, besides having a cargo complex, aviation academy and an aero-city nearby, he said.
The foundation stone for the six- lane highway from Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram Airport will be laid in four months, he said, adding that the Rs.700-crore safe drinking water project to bring purified water to Uddanam area from Hiramandalam Reservoir and the Kidney Research Centre at Uddhanam will be dedicated to the people in June.
The Chief Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia for extending full cooperation for initiating the works of the Bhogapuram International Airport. He also expressed his gratitude to the farmers, who sacrificed their lands for the construction of the airport.
The Taraka Rama Thirtha Sagaram project will provide drinking water to the people of 49 villages in Pusapatirega, Bhogapuram and Denkada mandals of Vizianagaram district and irrigation water to 24, 710 acres, besides supplying water to the Bhogapuram International Airport. These works are scheduled to be completed by December 2024.
District Collector Nagalakshmi, Nellimarla MLA M Appalanaidu and GMR Group Chairman G Mallikarjuna Rao also addressed the public meeting.
The Chief Minister also sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the construction of a bridge at Kandivalasa Gadda, Rs 10 crore for laying road between Chintavalasapalli and Mentada, Rs 2 crore for a causeway on Champavati River, Rs 1.5 crore for repairing the Battivalasa canal, Rs 2.5 crore for Tummalapeta-Garikapeta BT road, Rs 2.5 crore for Kondavelagada-Rallavaka bridge and Rs 35 crore for providing drinking water to 46 coastal villages in Bhogapuram and Pusapatirega mandals.
