Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's August 1 visit to inaugurate the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram.
Amaravati: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday reviewed arrangements for the inauguration of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 1, directing officials to ensure elaborate preparations for the event.
The Chief Minister said the commissioning of the Greenfield international airport, completed in a record 31 months, would mark a significant milestone in the development of North Andhra and usher in a new phase for Andhra Pradesh's aviation sector.
Describing the airport as a catalyst for economic growth, Mr. Naidu said the world-class facility would improve air connectivity while boosting employment, tourism, trade and investment across the region. He termed the project a matter of pride for North Andhra and the Telugu people.
Mr. Naidu instructed officials to accord a traditional welcome to Prime Minister Modi with Dhimsa, the tribal folk dance of North Andhra, along with a Kuchipudi performance.
He also proposed organising a Dhimsa performance involving a record number of participants with the aim of entering the Guinness World Records. The Chief Minister directed officials to showcase regional attractions, including Araku Coffee and North Andhra's tourism destinations during the celebrations.
The Chief Minister asked officials to launch a statewide public outreach campaign under the theme "Wings to the Dreams of North Andhra" to create awareness about the airport and its expected impact on the region.
He suggested organising awareness programmes for women, youth and students, besides quiz competitions, elocution contests, flash mobs, drone shows, 3K and 5K runs and round-table discussions with industrialists. Winners of these events would be invited to attend the airport inauguration ceremony.
Mr. Naidu also directed officials to ensure extensive publicity through social media platforms.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that Prime Minister Modi, besides inaugurating the airport terminal, would lay foundation stones and dedicate projects worth Rs. 18,000 crore related to the Ministries of Petroleum, Road Transport and other Central departments.
According to the tentative programme, Prime Minister Modi will arrive at the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at 10:45 a.m. on August 1 and will be received by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
The Prime Minister will inaugurate the airport terminal at 10:58 a.m. and inspect the facility before proceeding to the public meeting venue in an open-top vehicle.
More than 13,500 tribal women and students are expected to welcome him with a grand Dhimsa dance performance. Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address a public meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. before departing for New Delhi at 1:10 p.m.
