The development of the Nellore International Airport at Dagadarthi marks a significant milestone for Andhra Pradesh’s infrastructure. Here is a concise summary of the current status and project specifications:
Project Overview
Location: Dagadarthi, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh.
Scale: The airport will span 1,332.8 acres.
Ranking: This will be the 8th airport developed in the state.
Strategic Goal: To create a multimodal logistics hub by integrating air connectivity with existing ports, highways, and industrial zones.
Project Specifications
- Infrastructure: Planned as a “no-frills” facility, Phase 1 will feature a runway capable of handling Airbus A320 and ATR-72 aircraft.
- Location: It is located approximately 30 kilometres from Nellore city and 175 kilometres from Chennai, strategically positioned near NH-16.
- Strategic Importance: The airport is designed as a multimodal logistics hub to integrate with the Krishnapatnam Port and Ramayapatnam Port, supporting industrial zones like KRIS City and IFFCO SEZ.
- Future Operations: Flights to Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Mumbai are planned once the airport is operational.
Timeline and Development
Work Commencement: Groundwork is scheduled to begin by June–July 2026.
Bidding Process: The Request for Proposal (RFP) deadline is the end of April, with a successful developer/operator expected to be named in May.
Funding: The state government allocated ₹54 crore in January for land acquisition and utility infrastructure (power, water, and telecommunications).
Capacity and Infrastructure
Phase 1 Capacity: Designed to handle 1.4 million passengers annually.
Scalability: The master plan allows for expansion up to 15 million passengers per year.
Logistics: Includes future provisions for dedicated cargo facilities to support regional manufacturing and port trade.
Local Adjustments: The district is constructing an alternate road for local village access and a culvert to preserve an existing upstream water channel.
Economic Impact
“By integrating air connectivity with ports, highways and industrial zones, there will be a significant advantage for exporters and manufacturers with a sharp reduction in logistics costs.” — Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, Nellore MP
The project is expected to drive fresh investments in warehousing and services while creating jobs across the construction, aviation, and logistics sectors.
