The Bhogapuram International Airport project has now become a center of a credit war in Andhra Pradesh. Visiting the airport site cutting ribbons taking selfies and posing for photographs may be easy. However acquiring thousands of acres of land facing farmers protests overcoming challenges paying compensation rehabilitating displaced families building resettlement colonies and securing environmental clearances is a far more complex process. The Bhogapuram International Airport project is a deal.
So who actually contributed to bringing the Bhogapuram Airport project to its stage? The government played a role. Setting aside accusations what do the facts reveal?
How Did the Bhogapuram Airport Project Begin?
The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government issued a notification on August 31 2015 proposing the acquisition of nearly 15,000 acres of land for the Bhogapuram International Airport project. This was a decision.
The proposal triggered opposition from local farmers, peoples organizations, communist parties and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders. There were large-scale protests, demonstrations and agitations across the region. People were worried about their land.
As a result the government gradually reduced the proposed land acquisition from 15,000 acres to 5,000 acres. Later to approximately 2,700 acres. The government listened to the people.
However fresh protests emerged questioning whether an international airport could realistically be developed within 5,000 acres. During these agitations cases were reportedly registered against 156 farmers, activists and opposition leaders. This was a time.
Farmers Movement and Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddys Intervention
According to YSRCPs version then Opposition Leader Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy personally visited Bhogapuram interacted with farmers and extended support to their movement. He cared about the farmers.
The party claims that sustained pressure eventually compelled the Chandrababu Naidu government to limit land acquisition to 2,700 acres. The government took action.
However controversies continued over the land acquisition boundaries. YSRCP alleges that lands belonging to its supporters and leaders were disproportionately included in the acquisition zone while lands linked to TDP leaders, former Anakapalle MP Avanthi Srinivas and properties associated with the Miracle Group remained outside the area. There were allegations.
The party has also alleged that the government rushed the notification process to avoid paying compensation mandated under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act. This was unfair.
Foundation Stone Before Elections. Where Was the Progress?
On February 14 2019 months before the Assembly elections then Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu laid the foundation stone for the Bhogapuram Airport project. This was an event.
According to YSRCP several key requirements remained incomplete at that time. These included land acquisition, compensation payments, rehabilitation of displaced families, environmental clearances and statutory approvals. There was still work to be done.
YSRCP therefore describes the foundation ceremony as a political event rather than the commencement of actual construction activity. It was a photo opportunity.
Key Developments Under the YSRCP Government
After coming to power in 2019 the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy government signed an agreement with GMR Group on June 12 2020. This was a beginning.
Over the three years the government accelerated several administrative and regulatory processes necessary for the projects implementation. The government worked hard.
Major Works Undertaken
- Completion of land acquisition for 2,700 acres. The land was acquired.
- Rehabilitation of 404 displaced families. The families were rehabilitated.
- Acquisition of 50 acres for resettlement purposes. Land was acquired for resettlement.
- Construction of a rehabilitation colony at a cost of ₹77 crore. A colony was built.
- Compensation, housing and basic amenities for residents of around five affected villages. The people were compensated.
- Development of drinking water, electricity, substation facilities and roads. Infrastructure was developed.
- Securing approvals, including those related to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Approvals were secured.
- Total expenditure of ₹900 crore on project-related processes. A lot of money was spent.
According to YSRCP these efforts formed the foundation necessary for the projects eventual construction phase. The government laid the groundwork.
Comparative Claims: TDP vs YSRCP
| Aspect | TDP Government | YSRCP Government |
|---|---|---|
| Land Acquisition Notification | Notification issued for 15,000 acres on August 31, 2015 | Completed acquisition of 2,700 acres |
| Farmers’ Opposition | Large-scale protests and agitations | Engagement with farmers and issue resolution |
| Cases Against Protesters | Cases filed against 156 farmers and leaders | Focus on rehabilitation and compensation |
| Agreement with GMR | Not completed | Agreement signed on June 12, 2020 |
| Rehabilitation | Incomplete | Rehabilitation of 404 families |
| Rehabilitation Land | Not completed | 50 acres acquired |
| Resettlement Colony | Not completed | Colony built at a cost of ₹77 crore |
| Infrastructure | Incomplete | Water, power, roads, and substation facilities provided |
| Environmental Approvals | Pending | Major approvals secured, including NGT clearances |
| Estimated Expenditure | Not clearly specified | Approximately ₹900 crore |
| Construction Initiation | Foundation stone laid on February 14, 2019 | Construction activities commenced on May 3, 2023 |
| Completion Target | Not clearly specified | Targeted completion by July 2026 |
Questions Being Raised Now
Following the formation of the coalition government the progress of the Bhogapuram Airport project is being projected as one of its achievements. The government is proud of its progress.
However YSRCP has raised questions. These include:
- How much new land has been acquired since the government changed?
- How much additional compensation has been paid?
- How many new families have been rehabilitated?
- What new approvals have been secured?
- What additional infrastructure has been created?
- What fresh policy decisions have accelerated the project?
The party has demanded that documentary evidence supporting these claims be made public. The people want to know.
Bhogapuram Airport: Credit for the Photo Opportunity or the Groundwork?
The Bhogapuram International Airport did not reach its stage overnight. The project has evolved through years of effort—from the initial proposal to acquire 15,000 acres to reducing the land requirement addressing farmers concerns resolving legal disputes paying compensation rehabilitating displaced families and obtaining environmental and regulatory clearances. It took a lot of work.
According to YSRCPs argument these foundational steps took three years of continuous administrative work before construction could begin. The government worked hard.
That has led to the political question now being debated:
Who deserves the credit, for Bhogapuram International Airport—the leaders who posed for photographs and cut ribbons or those who acquired the land addressed farmers concerns, paid compensation rehabilitated affected families, secured approvals and laid the administrative foundation for construction?
Ultimately the answer may be left to the people to decide. The people will see who did the work.
