The Bhogapuram International Airport project has once again become a major political flashpoint in Andhra Pradesh. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has strongly objected to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s recent remarks made in New Delhi regarding the airport’s construction. The party alleged that Naidu is attempting to claim complete credit for the project while ignoring the work carried out during the previous YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government.
According to the YSRCP, the Jagan government laid the real foundation for the project by completing land acquisition, resolving legal hurdles, securing approvals, and rehabilitating displaced families. The party accused Chandrababu of misleading the public by presenting the project as an achievement of his government alone.
YSRCP Claims Jagan Government Laid the Foundation
YSRCP stated that the biggest hurdle to the Bhogapuram International Airport project was the large number of legal disputes surrounding land acquisition.
According to the party:
- The Jagan government successfully resolved 130 court cases related to the project.
- It spent ₹960 crore on land acquisition.
- Alternative land was allotted to displaced families.
- Nearly 400 families from three villages were rehabilitated.
- Administrative and legal obstacles were removed to ensure the project could proceed without delays.
The party asserted that these were the crucial steps that enabled the airport project to move forward.
Foundation Stone Laid in 2023; First Flight Target Announced for 2026
YSRCP recalled that former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the Bhogapuram International Airport on May 3, 2023.
During the ceremony, it was also announced that the airport was expected to receive its first commercial flight in 2026, the party noted.
“If Chandrababu Did Everything, Why Didn’t the Project Move Earlier?” Asks YSRCP
Responding to Chandrababu Naidu’s claims, YSRCP raised several questions.
The party asked:
- If Chandrababu was solely responsible for the airport project, why were all approvals not secured between 2014 and 2018, when TDP leader and current Goa Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju served as the Union Civil Aviation Minister?
- Why did the project fail to progress despite the TDP being part of the Central Government?
- If all approvals and groundwork had already been completed, why did the Jagan government have to spend ₹960 crore on land acquisition?
YSRCP argued that these questions expose what it described as an attempt to rewrite the project’s history.
From 10,000 Acres to 2,700 Acres: YSRCP Explains the Revised Plan
According to the party, the TDP government between 2014 and 2019 initially proposed acquiring 10,000 acres for the airport, which was later reduced to 5,000 acres.
YSRCP said that after coming to power, the Jagan government reviewed the proposal and prepared a more practical plan:
- 2,200 acres for the airport
- 500 acres for the Aerocity project
- Total: 2,700 acres
The party claimed that it also secured the necessary Central Government approvals for this revised plan.
Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Highlighted
YSRCP reiterated that its government completed several key responsibilities necessary for the airport project.
These included:
- Spending ₹960 crore on land acquisition.
- Resolving 130 legal cases.
- Providing alternative land to displaced people.
- Rehabilitating around 400 affected families from three villages.
- Completing legal, administrative, and land-related procedures required for construction.
The party argued that overlooking these contributions and projecting the entire project as the achievement of the present government is unfair.
YSRCP Alleges Chandrababu Made “False Claims” in New Delhi
The YSRCP accused Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of making statements in the national capital that, according to the party, do not reflect the complete history of the project.
It alleged that the present government has deliberately ignored the previous government’s role in land acquisition, legal clearances, rehabilitation of displaced families, Central approvals, and the foundation ceremony, while claiming full credit for the airport’s progress.
According to the party, such claims amount to political credit appropriation.
Bhogapuram Airport Credit Battle Intensifies
The political battle over the Bhogapuram International Airport project continues to intensify.
YSRCP maintains that the previous Jagan government completed the most critical stages of the project, including resolving 130 court cases, spending ₹960 crore on land acquisition, rehabilitating displaced families, obtaining necessary approvals, and laying the foundation stone in 2023.
Meanwhile, the present government highlights the progress in construction and execution under its tenure.
As both parties continue to stake claim over the project, the debate over who deserves greater credit for the Bhogapuram International Airport has become one of the latest political flashpoints in Andhra Pradesh.
