Bhogapuram Airport – YSRCP Leaders Dispute Credit Over Andhra Aviation Project
Bhogapuram Airport – The political dispute over the development of Bhogapuram Airport intensified after YSR Congress Party leaders alleged that the ruling Telugu Desam Party was taking undue credit for a project whose key groundwork, they claimed, had already been completed during the previous administration.
YSRCP Members of Parliament Tanuja Rani and Gurumoorthy accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of presenting the Bhogapuram Airport project as an achievement of the current government despite significant progress having been made under the leadership of former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. They maintained that several critical stages of the airport’s development had already been completed before the change in government.
Leaders Highlight Previous Government’s Role
Addressing the media, Tanuja Rani said the earlier YSRCP government successfully carried out major tasks required for the airport project, including land acquisition, compensation payments to affected landowners, statutory clearances, and the resolution of legal issues. According to her, the project moved forward because of the cooperation and sacrifices made by local farmers, who played a vital role in making the development possible.
She argued that these contributions should receive proper recognition rather than being overlooked during public events celebrating the project’s progress.
Challenge Over Project Records
Tanuja Rani also criticised Union Minister Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, alleging that his statements regarding the airport project did not accurately reflect its development timeline. She remarked that he was not directly associated with the project during the period when much of the work was executed.
She further challenged the Telugu Desam Party to hold a discussion in Parliament on the issue, stating that official project records would demonstrate that nearly 86 percent of the airport construction work had been completed while the YSRCP government was in office. She maintained that documentary evidence would support the party’s claims regarding the pace of execution during that period.
Questions Raised Over Public Spending
During her remarks, the YSRCP MP also questioned the expenditure of around ₹300 crore on International Yoga Day-related events. She asked whether such spending had produced meaningful outcomes for tribal communities and other sections that continue to require greater attention in terms of development and welfare.
According to her, government resources should be directed toward initiatives that generate measurable public benefits rather than focusing primarily on large-scale promotional programmes.
Gurumoorthy Cites Runway Construction
MP Gurumoorthy echoed similar views, stating that the airport runway was constructed during the tenure of the previous government. He alleged that the present administration was inaugurating completed works while portraying them as its own accomplishments.
He further said that recognition should be based on actual implementation rather than ceremonial events. In his view, the public deserves an accurate account of the project’s history and the stages completed under different administrations.
Land Acquisition History Recalled
Gurumoorthy also referred to the project’s earlier land acquisition proposals, claiming that an initial plan involving around 15,000 acres had created uncertainty among farmers and fishing communities in the region. He said these concerns eventually resulted in legal challenges that delayed the project’s progress.
According to him, the legal hurdles were resolved only in 2022, allowing the airport project to move ahead without further judicial obstacles. He maintained that these developments formed an important part of the project’s timeline and should be acknowledged whenever its progress is discussed.