New Airport Proposal Between Rajamahendravaram and Visakhapatnam Gains Momentum!

The proposal to establish a new airport between Rajamahendravaram and Visakhapatnam is once again gaining attention, with the final location yet to be decided between Anakapalli and Kakinada districts. Earlier, the government had given in-principle approval to construct a greenfield airport between Annavaram and Tuni in Kakinada district. However, strong opposition from farmers over land acquisition and certain technical constraints led to the proposal being shelved. Alternative locations near Gopalapatnam between Payakaraopeta and Nakkapalli were also explored but did not progress further at the time.

The coalition government is now planning to develop nine new airports across Andhra Pradesh, and as part of this initiative, the State Airports Development Corporation has begun preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed airport between Tuni and Annavaram. With several large-scale industries, including bulk drug manufacturing units, the ArcelorMittal steel plant, and an NTPC power project coming up near Kakinada and Nakkapalli, the government believes an airport in the region would significantly boost industrial growth. If land suitability issues near Tuni persist, Payakaraopeta is likely to emerge as a viable alternative location.