Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (Bhogapuram Airport)

Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (Bhogapuram Airport)
Why in News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram (Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh), marking the State's first Greenfield International Airport after the 2014 bifurcation.
Bhogapuram International Airport
•    Located at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh.
•    Named after tribal freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju.
•    Developed by GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
•    Constructed at a cost of over ₹5,640 crore.
•    Phase-I capacity: Approximately 6 million passengers annually.
•    Expected to improve regional connectivity, tourism, trade, logistics and industrial growth in North Andhra Pradesh.
Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008
The Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008 provides the framework for establishing new airports in India.
Key Features
•    Airport projects may be developed by State Governments or private developers.
•    The project proponent is responsible for funding and implementation.
•    Promotes private investment through the PPP model while expanding aviation infrastructure.
Greenfield Airports in India
Operational Greenfield Airports (11)
•    Durgapur (West Bengal)
•    Shirdi & Sindhudurg (Maharashtra)
•    Kannur (Kerala)
•    Pakyong (Sikkim)
•    Kalaburagi & Shivamogga (Karnataka)
•    Orvakal/Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh)
•    Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)
•    Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh)
•    Mopa (Goa)
Greenfield Airports with In-Principle Approval
The Government has accorded In-Principle approval to 21 Greenfield airports, including:
•    Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi & Orvakal (Andhra Pradesh)
•    Jewar (Noida) & Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)
•    Navi Mumbai, Shirdi & Sindhudurg (Maharashtra)
•    Mopa (Goa)
•    Kalaburagi, Hassan, Shivamogga & Vijayapura (Karnataka)
•    Dholera & Hirasar (Gujarat)
•    Durgapur (West Bengal)
•    Pakyong (Sikkim)
•    Kannur (Kerala)
•    Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh)
•    Karaikal (Puducherry)
•    Dabra (Gwalior) (Madhya Pradesh)
Airports with Site Clearance
•    Alwar (Rajasthan)
•    Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh)
•    Mandi (Himachal Pradesh)
Significance
•    First Greenfield international airport in Andhra Pradesh after the 2014 State bifurcation.
•    Strengthens connectivity for North Coastal Andhra.
•    Supports tourism, exports, logistics and investment.
•    Complements the region's emerging semiconductor and industrial ecosystem.
•    Demonstrates India's continued expansion of aviation infrastructure under the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008.