GMR bags mandate for Bhogapuram Airport

GMR Airports Limited, a subsidiary of GMR Infrastructure Ltd, receives the Letter of Award for the development and operation of a greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram in Andhra Pradesh. The project, about 45 km from Visakhapatnam, involves design, build, finance, construction, development, up-gradation, modernisation, operation and maintenance of an international airport at Bhogapuram for 40 years, extendable by additional 20 years through international competitive bidding with GMR Airports getting right of first refusal.

Commenting on this, GBS Raju, Business Chairman GMR Airports said, “We are partnering with Government of Andhra Pradesh to develop, operate and manage the prestigious Bhogapuram International Airport. We are excited about the potential of this region.”

The proposed airport site lies on the border of Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts, and is approximately 45 km from Visakhapatnam city and 25 km from Vizianagaram.

The site is strategically located on the east coast and it stands to benefit from the vast catchment area. Moreover, the beach corridor development is underway near the proposed airport which will provide impetus to retail and hospitality sectors. In February 2019, the GAL emerged as the highest bidder for the project on a PPP basis, a release issued by the company said.