North West Adds 10 Highway Links for Airport Access

Visakhapatnam plans 10 highway links to NH-16 and six-lane beach corridor for airport access

Visakhapatnam Adds 10 Highway Links for Airport

Visakhapatnam and Anakapalle districts are preparing 10 new highway connections to National Highway 16 that'll cut travel time to Bhogapuram Airport, officials said. The road network includes a six-lane beach corridor designed to bring most major urban centers within one hour of the airport. Currently, commuters from Anakapalle, around 77 km away, can take nearly two hours due to congestion.

Context

The major road connectivity initiative supports the upcoming Bhogapuram greenfield international airport, named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju. Officials are finalizing alignment changes and junction points for the proposed links, which will improve access from multiple parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh. The transport network addresses current congestion that doubles travel times for passengers heading to the airport zone. Transit agencies typically develop expanded road networks when new airports open to ensure adequate passenger access and reduce bottlenecks on existing routes.

Details

Authorities plan to connect 10 additional roads to National Highway 16 to significantly reduce travel times for passengers. A separate six-lane beach corridor road is also planned to offer another high-capacity route to the airport zone. The state intends to introduce around 100 air-conditioned buses, largely electric, in phases to serve airport passengers. Officials didn't provide specific cost estimates for the highway expansion or detailed timelines for when each road connection will be completed.

Timeline

The airport is expected to begin operations in July, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the facility during the foundation ceremony for a Google data center. Dedicated bus terminals for electric fleets are already being developed in Gajuwaka and Simhachalam to support seamless airport transfers. Officials haven't announced specific dates for when the 10 highway links will be completed or when the beach corridor construction will begin.

Impact

The transport network is designed to bring most major urban centers within approximately one hour of the airport once completed. Passengers traveling from Anakapalle and other districts will see travel times cut significantly compared to current two-hour journeys. The phased introduction of around 100 electric buses will provide dedicated airport service as the road network expands. Riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on bus routes and schedules as the new airport transit services launch.