Tadepalli: Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the president of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has asserted that his government was solely responsible for securing all necessary approvals for the Bhogapuram Airport project. Speaking from the YSR Congress Party headquarters on Thursday, January 8, he criticized former Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for allegedly struggling with credit theft related to the airport.
Jagan revealed that the initial proposal for the airport required 15,000 acres of land, but later Naidu requested an additional 5,000 acres. He pointed out that despite facing 130 court cases opposing the airport, his administration successfully overcame these legal hurdles to lay the foundation for the project. “After we came to power, we expedited the construction work for Bhogapuram Airport,” he stated.
Highlighting the financial commitment made by his government, Jagan mentioned that ₹960 crores were allocated for land acquisition for the airport. He emphasized that during his tenure, his administration resolved ongoing court cases related to Bhogapuram and allocated lands to displaced families. “We even built colonies for those displaced by the project,” he added.
In a direct jab at the previous administration, Jagan noted that despite Ashok Gajapathi Raju serving as the Minister of Civil Aviation, he failed to bring in the necessary permissions for the airport. “Once we came into power, we secured all the required approvals. Even during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, the work at the airport did not stop,” he assured, reiterating his role in the project’s foundation laying.
Jagan expressed optimism about the future of the airport, predicting that the first flight would land at Bhogapuram in 2026. He underscored the importance of this infrastructure project for the region’s development and connectivity, promising that his government would continue to support its progress.
As the Bhogapuram Airport project moves forward, it is positioned to enhance the economic landscape of the area and improve travel options for residents. Jagan’s statements reflect a broader commitment to advancing infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh, which he believes will foster growth and development across the state.
