"Andhra Cabinet approves Dagadarthi Airport; Nellore to host state's 8th aviation project."

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet has approved the development of the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport in Nellore district, marking a major boost to the state’s aviation and industrial infrastructure. Once completed, Dagadarthi will become the state’s eighth airport, supporting its vision of a multimodal logistics and industrial network.

According to an official release, the airport’s strategic location offers excellent connectivity to National Highways, two major ports-Krishnapatnam and Ramayapatnam-and several industrial clusters, including KRIS City and IFFCO SEZs. These advantages position the airport to facilitate manufacturing, exports, agri-logistics, and services-led growth in southern Andhra Pradesh.

The project has already received in-principle clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The state government has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to attract private participation for the airport’s development, operation, and maintenance under a long-term concession model.

Planned over 1,332.8 acres, the airport will be developed in multiple phases. Phase I is designed to handle 1.4 million passengers annually, with long-term capacity scalable to 15 million passengers. The master plan also includes provisions for a cargo facility to support growing industrial output and port-led trade.

The Dagadarthi airport is expected to serve as a catalyst for regional development by integrating air connectivity with ports, highways, and industrial zones. The project aims to reduce logistics costs for exporters and manufacturers, attract new industrial and services investments, generate employment across sectors, and strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s appeal as a business destination.

The Cabinet’s approval underscores the state government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and enhancing global connectivity, the release added.