Vizianagaram, Aug 1 (HS): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday described the newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram as the jewel of North Andhra and said it would usher in a new phase of economic growth and development in the region.

Addressing a public meeting after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the airport, Naidu said the project would transform North Andhra in a manner similar to the impact of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad on the development of the Hyderabad region.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the farmers of Bhogapuram for parting with their land for the airport project and said their contribution had helped lay the foundation for the region's future growth.

Naidu said the airport would improve connectivity, attract investments, promote tourism and generate employment opportunities, contributing to the overall development of North Andhra.

The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, developed at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 5,000 crore, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier in the day.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar