Work on the seven roads project is in various stages of progress. VMRDA is undertaking this project to provide hassle-free road connectivity to the ASR Greenfield International Airport in Bhogapuram near Visakhapatnam. Photo: Special Arrangment
With the authorities gearing up for the ‘validation flight’ at the Greenfield International Airport at Bhogapuram in December to test and certify airport approach and departure procedures for aircraft, the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has set a new deadline of May 2026 to complete the seven master plan road projects.
The seven-road project spanning 26.72 km requires coordination between the GVMC, Roads & Buildings, Panchayat Raj, Forests, and private landowners who have parted their stretches for the projects.
According to sources, the road projects have slowed down due to land acquisition challenges, with the toughest hurdle being the acquisition of 75 acres.
Compensation options include cash payments, alternative sites, and transferable development rights (TDRs). So far, only a few landowners have agreed to the compensation through TDRs.
The seven roads are being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 156 crore, including CSR funds from the corporate companies. These roads include: An 8 km road from Adivivaram BRTS junction to Gandigundam (Rs. 40 crore), awaiting forest clearance; a 2.2 km road from Anandapuram NH to Gambhiram Reservoir, a 1.7 km expansion from Shivashakti Nagar to the VUDA Haritha project (Rs. 7.65 crore); a 1.4 km expansion from Paradeshipalem to Gambhiram (Rs. 5.04 crore); a 3.83 km road from Nerallavalasa to Tallavalasa (Rs. 24 crore); a 3 km widening from Boyapalem Junction to Kapuluppada (Rs. 15 crore); widening of 6.32-km road from Chippada to Polipilli (Rs. 37.92 crore).
These roads are designed to ease traffic on the national highway and provide quicker access for passengers from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, and Srikakulam districts to the new airport.
Further, plans are afoot to widen 15 internal roads for better connectivity at an estimated cost of Rs. 390 crore. A proposed six-lane beach corridor connecting Beach Road in Visakhapatnam to the airport is under development, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) finalised.
Four elevated corridors have also been proposed, linking the Aganampudi-Lankelapalem area to Kommadi.
According to the information available with the VMRDA officials, private land must be acquired from 348 owners, who will be issued transferable development rights (TDR) bonds as compensation.
“So far, we have issued 155 TDRs out of 348. We will clear the rest soon. Only vegetation clearance and initial foundation work have been completed. None of the road widenings is ready. Permission from the Forest Department is required for the patches in the middle of some roads. However, we are on the right track to complete the work within the deadline,” said a VMRDA official.
Speaking toThe Hindu, VMRDA Chairman M.V. Pranav Gopal said, “Despite the challenges, we are determined to complete these seven roads connecting Visakhapatnam and Bhogapuram airport before the domestic operations begin. We have set a deadline of May 2026 to complete the works.”
On the other hand, sources said that the airport’s progress is ahead of schedule, with 90% of the core building works completed. Around 97% of the runway works have been finished and 92% of the taxiways works have been completed. The ‘validation flight’ is scheduled for December, they said.
What is validation flight?
A ‘validation flight’ is critical for testing and certifying airport approach and departure procedures for aircraft. It is essentially a test flight to ensure that the landing and departure procedures, infrastructure readiness, and navigational and communication systems for the new runway and airport comply with regulatory and safety standards.
Published – December 01, 2025 11:05 am IST
