105-minute commute to Bhogapuram airport likely: SIDAR
With construction of the Bhogapuram International Airport progressing toward its June 2026 completion deadline, a new study has raised concerns about last-mile connectivity between Visakhapatnam city and the upcoming aviation hub.
A report by the Society for Integrated Development and Research (SIDAR), released on Saturday at Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College by its president Prof. K.C. Reddy, states that commuters travelling from the RTC Complex may take nearly 105 minutes to cover the 50-km distance to the airport during peak hours.
The study, based on field surveys and real-time mapping data, identifies the Hanumanthawaka–Anandapuram stretch as a key congestion corridor that could affect smooth access to the airport and limit its economic potential.
According to the report, the 15-km stretch between Anandapuram and the airport takes about 20 minutes, while commuters spend over 63 minutes reaching Anandapuram from the city. The study describes Anandapuram as a structural bottleneck in the city’s traffic network, with congestion around the local marketplace and nearby junctions slowing vehicle movement.
SIDAR has submitted a three-phase set of recommendations to the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and state authorities.
As an immediate step, the report suggests synchronising traffic signals at nine major junctions along National Highway 16, including Hanumanthawaka, Yendada, Car Shed Junction, and Kommadi. Creating a two-hour “green corridor” during peak morning and evening traffic could reduce travel time by nearly 25 minutes, the study estimates.
The report also proposes exploring a coastal sea route between the city’s Fishing Harbour and a dedicated jetty near Bhogapuram. The 46-km coastal stretch could enable speedboat travel in about 28 to 30 minutes, offering a faster alternative to road transport.
For the long term, SIDAR recommends developing a coastal expressway on the lines of the PVNR Expressway in Hyderabad, linking the city to the airport via Bhimili. The proposed six-to-ten lane corridor, along with a bridge across the Gosthani River, would provide signal-free access to the terminal.
With the airport projected to handle up to 40 million passengers, the study emphasises that efficient connectivity will be critical. Without timely intervention, SIDAR warns that the upcoming Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport could be world-class inside but difficult to access from the city.