As the inauguration of Bhogapuram International Airport draws closer, a fresh political battle has erupted over who deserves credit for the mega infrastructure project. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has strongly questioned the claims made by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, asserting that almost every major milestone of the airport was achieved during the YSRCP government’s tenure.
“What Did You Do Except Lay a Foundation Stone Before the 2019 Elections?”
Jagan took a direct swipe at Chandrababu Naidu, asking:
“What exactly did you do except lay a foundation stone one month before the 2019 elections?”
According to Jagan, the previous TDP government merely performed a symbolic groundbreaking ceremony for electoral gains without completing the essential groundwork needed to make the project a reality.
He argued that the actual execution including land acquisition, rehabilitation, agreements with GMR, statutory approvals, infrastructure creation, and construction was carried out during the YSRCP government.
Bhogapuram Airport Credit: Foundation Stone Alone Doesn’t Build an Airport
Jagan stated that taking credit simply because a foundation stone was laid before the elections is misleading.
He alleged that no substantial progress had been made before 2019 and accused the Chandrababu government of using the project only for political publicity.
YSRCP Government Invested Over ₹1,200 Crore, Says Jagan
Jagan claimed that his government spent more than ₹1,200 crore to make the airport project operational.
Expenditure Details Shared by Jagan
| Work | Expenditure |
|---|---|
| Land Acquisition & Rehabilitation (R&R) | ₹967 crore |
| Water Supply Infrastructure | ₹75 crore |
| Basic Infrastructure Development | ₹134.50 crore |
| Alternative Roads | ₹7.29 crore |
| Electrical Substation | ₹2.35 crore |
According to him, these investments laid the foundation for the airport’s actual construction.
Every Major Milestone Was Achieved During Our Government
Jagan said the YSRCP government completed every critical step required before construction could proceed.
These include:
- Signing the concession agreement with GMR in June 2020
- Completing land acquisition
- Rehabilitation of displaced families from four villages
- Site clearance
- Central and State government approvals
- Security clearances
- No Objection Certificates (NOCs)
- Water supply arrangements
- Power connectivity
- Internal roads
- Aeronautical services
- Financial closure
He claimed that each of these milestones was achieved under the YSRCP administration.
We Completed the Land Acquisition Left Pending Earlier
Jagan alleged that the Chandrababu government failed to complete land acquisition for the airport.
He said the YSRCP government:
- Completed land acquisition
- Paid compensation to affected families
- Rehabilitated residents from four villages
- Removed obstacles delaying the project
According to him, these steps enabled the airport construction to move forward.
Construction Continued Even During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jagan said that despite the unprecedented challenges posed by COVID-19, the airport project never came to a standstill.
He claimed that during the pandemic:
- Construction activities continued
- Runway works reached an advanced stage before the 2024 elections
- Terminal building construction progressed rapidly
He described this as proof of the government’s commitment to the project.
We Had Already Announced Flights Would Begin in June 2026
Jagan recalled that his government had publicly announced that Bhogapuram Airport would become operational by June 2026.
According to him, construction was planned and executed keeping that target in mind.
Airport Is Ready, But Where Is the Road?
Jagan also raised concerns over connectivity to the airport.
He said that although the airport is nearing completion, passengers still face difficulty reaching it because there is no fast road connection from Visakhapatnam city.
He described this as a major inconvenience for future travelers.
What Happened to the ₹6,300-Crore Six-Lane Highway?
Jagan reminded the public that during the airport’s foundation ceremony, the Central Government had announced:
- A 55-km highway
- 77-metre width
- Six-lane corridor
- Estimated cost of ₹6,300 crore
He said Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had personally announced the project at the event.
You Are in Power at Both the Centre and the State Why Is the Highway Still Pending?
Questioning the present government, Jagan asked:
“Nitin Gadkari continues to head the same ministry. Your party is part of the Central Government and also governs Andhra Pradesh. Why hasn’t the highway progressed even after two years?”
He alleged that passengers traveling to Bhogapuram Airport continue to suffer because of poor road connectivity.
Calling it a failure of governance, he questioned the government’s sincerity.
Jagan Recalls GMR Chairman’s Remarks
Jagan also referred to comments made by GMR Group Chairman G.M. Rao on May 3, 2023.
According to Jagan, G.M. Rao had said:
- His first airport project, Hyderabad Airport, was initiated and inaugurated under Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
- He also attended the inauguration of Delhi Airport.
- During the Bhogapuram Airport foundation ceremony, G.M. Rao reportedly expressed hope that Jagan Mohan Reddy would also inaugurate the airport in the future.
Jagan cited these remarks as recognition of his government’s contribution to the project.
Who Deserves Credit for Bhogapuram International Airport?
According to Jagan, the real credit belongs to the government that completed the essential groundwork rather than merely laying the foundation stone.
He asserted that the YSRCP government completed:
- Land acquisition
- Rehabilitation and resettlement
- GMR concession agreement
- Financial closure
- Regulatory approvals
- Water and electricity infrastructure
- Internal roads
- Runway development
- Terminal construction
- Other critical infrastructure
He argued that these were the factors that transformed the airport from a proposal into a functioning project.
Political Credit Battle Intensifies Ahead of Airport Launch
With the Bhogapuram International Airport nearing inauguration, the debate over political ownership has intensified.
Jagan maintains that the YSRCP government carried out the actual implementation of the project by completing land acquisition, rehabilitation, infrastructure development, approvals, and construction while investing more than ₹1,200 crore.
The present government, however, maintains that it played the key role in taking the project to completion and making it ready for operations.
As the airport prepares for launch, the political debate over who deserves credit continues alongside what is expected to become one of Andhra Pradesh’s most significant infrastructure projects.
