Construction of Dagadarthi Airport in Nellore Likely to Start Shortly.

Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh is set for a major infrastructure boost, with work on the long-awaited Dagadarthi international airport expected to begin soon. The project, proposed as the state’s eighth airport, is aimed at strengthening the region’s emergence as a multimodal logistics and industrial hub.

According to Nellore MP Vemireddy Prabhakar Reddy, the airport will come up on 1,332.8 acres and is envisioned as more than just an aviation facility. By integrating air connectivity with ports, highways and industrial zones, the project is expected to reduce logistics costs for exporters and manufacturers, while attracting fresh investments in industry, warehousing and allied sectors.

Planned in multiple phases, the airport’s first phase will have the capacity to handle 1.4 million passengers annually, with scalability up to 15 million passengers in the future. Provisions have also been made for a dedicated cargo facility to support the region’s growing industrial output and port-led trade.

The state government has already allocated ₹54 crore earlier this year to expedite land acquisition and provide essential infrastructure such as electricity, water and telecom connectivity. Officials expect construction to begin between June and July.

Nellore District Collector Himanshu Shukla said that private players have been invited to submit proposals for the airport’s development, operation and maintenance, with the bidding deadline set for the end of this month. The selected developer is likely to be announced in May.

Meanwhile, the district administration is working on supporting infrastructure, including an alternative road to maintain connectivity for nearby villages and a culvert over a local channel, ensuring that existing water flows remain undisturbed. Officials expressed confidence that the project will meet its targeted timelines.