Visakhapatnam’s waterfront buzzed with activity on Friday as the city prepared for the inauguration of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram scheduled for Saturday. The celebrations spanned from Beach Road to Rushikonda Blue Flag Beach, attracting students, sportspersons, families, and tourists eager to revel in the excitement of the region’s latest aviation hub.
The festivities kicked off with the Bhogapuram Airport 5K Run, organized by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP). A substantial turnout participated in both running and cycling events that took place between The Park Hotel junction and Tenneti Park, welcoming students, women, youth, and amateur athletes into the competitive spirit.
Emerging talent in sports was prominently displayed, with Sainik School students leading in the open boys’ running category, while trainees from the SAAP Cycling Academy in Visakhapatnam claimed the top five positions in the cycling segment. Students from multiple schools also excelled in the open girls’ category.
Visakhapatnam East MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu, along with SAAP Chairman A. Ravi Naidu and Joint Collector G. Vidyadhari, presented awards to the winners. Mr. Ravi Naidu highlighted the airport as a gateway to new possibilities for North Andhra, reiterating the crucial role of sports in fostering discipline, confidence, and leadership among youth.
Cultural Celebrations Along the Coastline
As the day unfolded, Beach Road continued to pull in crowds, with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) organizing ‘Uttarandhra Kalalaku Rekkalu’. This event featured cultural performances and a beach walk, further energizing the atmosphere. District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore conveyed that the new airport would bolster connectivity and pave the way for industrial growth and job creation across North Andhra. This day marked the apex of a week-long series of festivities leading up to the airport’s opening.
Artistic Displays and Community Engagement
Meanwhile, celebrations soared at Rushikonda Blue Flag Beach, where the Tourism Department hosted curtain-raising festivities featuring sand sculptures, tribal dances, kolatam, and cultural performances, complete with themed selfie points centered around the airport theme. A particularly striking sand sculpture of the airport, coupled with a message of gratitude towards the farmers who contributed their land for this project, captivated many visitors.
Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh emphasized that enhanced air, road, rail, and sea transport would not only foster tourism but also generate employment opportunities within the region.
With around 500 attendees at the beach event, vibrant performances by children and tribal artists infused the atmosphere with color and life, culminating in a day that harmoniously blended sports, culture, and community involvement along Visakhapatnam’s coastline, all leading up to the airport’s inauguration.
