Bhogapuram International Airport is emerging as one of the most important infrastructure projects in North Andhra.
However, a political debate has now started over who deserves credit for the project. The ruling coalition and the YSR Congress Party are making competing claims.
The coalition government says the airport project was completed because of its efforts.
YSRCP leaders, however, argue that the project gained momentum during their government.
Senior YSRCP leader Botsa Satyanarayana even claimed that the original idea came from former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.
According to Botsa, YSR had considered the need for another airport near Visakhapatnam while serving as Chief Minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh between 2004 and 2009.
He said the Bhogapuram site was identified as suitable for the airport in 2013.
Botsa questioned what Chandrababu Naidu’s government had achieved after coming to power in 2014.
He claimed that land acquisition was completed only after Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy became Chief Minister in 2019.
According to him, the Jagan government resolved court cases, paid compensation to displaced families, removed major obstacles and secured the required clearances.
Jagan laid the foundation stone for the airport in May 2023 and reportedly set a two-year deadline for completing the project.
Botsa said the efforts of YSR and Jagan were behind the airport’s progress. He questioned how coalition leaders could claim the entire credit while ignoring these developments.
He also argued that construction progressed quickly because the Jagan government had completed important groundwork and approvals.
Coalition leaders, on the other hand, claim that the project was put on the fast track after they returned to power. They say significant progress was achieved within 25 months and accuse the previous government of doing very little.
YSRCP leaders point out that Jagan’s name appears on the foundation stone and say this itself proves his government’s role in the project.
The political battle over credit may continue for a long time.
However, the honest truth is that both governments contributed to the Bhogapuram airport project at different stages.
One government completed important groundwork, while the other pushed construction towards completion.
Ultimately, the airport belongs to the people of North Andhra, and its successful operation is more important than the political fight over credit.
