With a ‘validation flight’ having been scheduled on January 4 to test the fitness of the greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram near here, the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has requested the Forest Department to clear 6.58 hectares (16.25 acres) of forest land near the Adivivaram-Sonthyam road to expedite the work on seven masterplan roads linked to the airport.
Coordination is needed among the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC); the departments of Roads & Buildings, Panchayat Raj and Forests; and individuals who have parted with their land for the roads to lay these roads, spanning 26.72 km.
These roads are designed to ease traffic on the national highway and provide quicker access to the new airport for passengers from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts.
According to sources, the road projects have slowed down owing to land acquisition challenges, including clearances from the Forest department. Compensation options include cash, alternative sites and transferable development rights (TDRs). The seven roads are being laid at an estimated ₹156 crore, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
Further, plans are afoot to widen 15 internal roads for better connectivity at an estimated ₹390 crore. A proposed six-lane beach corridor connecting Beach Road in Visakhapatnam to the airport is under development, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) having finalised.
According to the information available with the VMRDA officials, private land must be acquired from 348 owners, who will be issued TDR bonds as compensation.
“We have issued nearly 180 TDRs out of 348 as on December 31, 2025. We will clear the rest soon. None of the road widenings is ready. However, we are on the right track to complete the work within the deadline. We are also aware that flight validation is scheduled to be undertaken on January 4,” a VMRDA official told The Hindu on condition of anonymity.
| Road project | Length | Estimated cost |
| Adivivaram BRTS junction to Gandigundam (awaiting forest clearance) | 8 km | Rs. 40 crore |
| Anandapuram NH to Gambhiram Reservoir | 2.2 km | |
| Expansion from Shivashakti Nagar to VUDA Haritha project | 1.7 km | Rs. 7.65 crore |
| Expansion from Paradeshipalem to Gambhiram | 1.4 km | Rs. 5.04 crore |
| Nerallavalasa to Tallavalasa | 3.83 km | Rs. 24 crore |
| Widening from Boyapalem Junction to Kapuluppada | 3 km | Rs. 15 crore |
| Widening from Chippada to Polipilli | 6.32 km | Rs. 37.92 crore |
