AP awards ₹19-cr contract to flood-proof Bhogapuram airport
With the Bhogapuram greenfield international airport inching closer to its targeted June-July 2026 inauguration, the Andhra Pradesh government has moved to fortify the site against seasonal flooding, awarding a ₹19-crore contract for a comprehensive drainage and rainwater management system.
The Water Resources Department (WRD) has handed the contract to Nellore-based RKN Infrastructures, tasking it with the restoration, desilting, and capacity enhancement of seven major outflow canals in the vicinity of the airport. The initiative, officials said, is aimed at preventing waterlogging on runways and terminal areas during heavy monsoon rains.
P. Appalanaidu, Superintending Engineer, Water Resources Department (Visakhapatnam), confirmed the development. “The contractor is expected to begin the work within the next few days. The essential survey for the work has been completed recently,” he told reporters on Sunday.
The department has set an internal deadline of June for the completion of the drainage works — ahead of the airport’s own inauguration window — underscoring the urgency with which officials are treating the project.
What the project entails
The work centres on upgrading a network of local canals designed to divert floodwater away from the airport site during periods of heavy rainfall. The seven outflow canals identified for restoration are considered critical links in ensuring that excess water is discharged smoothly into the existing irrigation network, without causing damage to surrounding farmlands.
“As the airport prepares for commissioning, these works are being treated as high-priority to ensure that the site is operationally ready before its scheduled inauguration,” Appalanaidu said.
He further clarified the scope of the department’s role, noting that the WRD’s technical mandate extends beyond the airport’s boundary walls, with the agency responsible for managing the broader drainage infrastructure in the region.
Airport construction on track
Construction at Bhogapuram, located approximately 40 kilometres north of Visakhapatnam, has been progressing at a steady pace. The airport, being developed as a greenfield project, is positioned to serve as a key aviation hub for northern Andhra Pradesh. Officials have maintained that the June-July 2026 inauguration target remains on schedule.