Visakhapatnam Member of Parliament M. Sribharat has indicated that the continued operation of Visakhapatnam International Airport may not be feasible once the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport becomes operational, citing commitments made by the State government to the airport developer. He said the government was taking extensive measures to ensure seamless connectivity to Bhogapuram, so that air passengers would not face inconvenience after the shift.

Responding to demands from some public representatives and sections of the public seeking the continuation of flight services from Visakhapatnam airport, Mr. Sribharat on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) drew a parallel with Hyderabad’s transition from Begumpet airport to the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad.

“When the Shamshabad airport was inaugurated, many people felt it was too far from the city. However, with the development of the Outer Ring Road and improved infrastructure, travel time to the airport reduced significantly. Similar efforts are being undertaken here to strengthen connectivity to Bhogapuram,” he said.

The MP said the State government had committed to the airport operator that there would not be any other airport within a specified radius. The developer had invested on the basis of those commitments, he said.

“The investor has placed confidence in the government and invested heavily in the project. I do not think the government will disappoint them,” Mr. Sribharat said.

Highlighting the infrastructure being developed around Bhogapuram airport, he said five of the seven planned connecting roads had been completed. One more was expected to be ready by the end of the month, and another, delayed because of Roads and Buildings Department works, would also be completed soon.

Besides the seven connectivity corridors, a dedicated Beach Road corridor was being developed. The proposed route would let commuters cover the nearly 40-kilometre stretch in about 20 to 25 minutes, he said.

The MP reiterated that Visakhapatnam would soon receive 100 electric buses. Around 20 of them would initially be deployed on routes connecting the city to Bhogapuram airport, he said.

He said improvements in road and public transport infrastructure would continue in the coming years to make travel faster for passengers.

Beach Shacks

On the State Cabinet’s recent approval of beach shacks along the coast, Mr. Sribharat said the proposal had received wide support, although a section of people had opposed it, which was natural in a democracy.

The MP said the beach shacks were part of the government’s plan to promote coastal tourism and would operate under strict regulations. Only beer, wine and soft liquor would be served at the shacks, and hard liquor would not be permitted; service would be until 8 p.m.

He rejected concerns that the beach shack policy would compromise women’s safety, saying the government remained committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring a secure environment for all visitors.