Vizianagaram Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy issued an order on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, directing GMR Visakhapatnam International Airport Limited (GVIAL) to repair roads damaged during the construction of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. The collector demanded that the company use corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds or other resources to restore the approach roads and lay new ones where necessary, so that residents of nearby villages can travel without difficulty.
The order followed a report by The Hindu on October 12 that highlighted how villages such as Dibbalapalem, Ravada, Byreddipalem, Gudepuvalasa and Kancheru had been cut off after the airport’s nearly 2,500‑acre development. Farmers were unable to transport produce or fertilizer to their fields because the damaged roads severed connectivity. GVIAL officials cited a shortage of funds as a reason for the delay, but the collector’s directive compels immediate action.
In addition to road repairs, the collector asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to ensure a smooth connection between the airport and the national highway’s service roads. He noted that passengers currently have to travel at least eight kilometres to reach the highway, and that NHAI has promised to widen the service road near the Rajapulova junction within a couple of weeks. Once the junction improvements are complete, congestion on the service road should be eliminated.
Ramsundar Reddy emphasized that he would closely monitor the situation and follow up with GVIAL and NHAI officials to guarantee timely completion of the road repairs. The collector’s actions aim to restore essential infrastructure for local farmers and improve overall accessibility to the new international airport.
