Vizag: Upcoming Bhogapuram airport will take Vizag to ‘new heights of development’: G M Rao

NEW DELHI: The upcoming greenfield international airport at Bhogapuram, Vizianagarm, in Andhra Pradesh will “take Vizag city to new heights of development by establishing connectivity with all top cities of the world,” G M Rao, chairman of infra major GMR Groupbuilding the airport, said in his speech at the Andhra University Alumni Meet last Saturday.He added that the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract has been awarded for this airport whose site is on the border of Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts.
“GMR Group will be developing a brand new greenfield airport in Bhogapuram. We have carried out

bhoomi puja

(ground breaking ceremony) and have awarded the EPC contract for the development. The new airport along with its associated ecosystem will take Vizag city to new heights of development,” Rao, whose group operates the Delhi, Hyderabad, Goa (Mopa) airports and is building more both in India and abroad, said at the alumni meet.
Talking about the disruptive impact of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, metaverse, blockchain, cryptos, NFTs, and bots, Rao emphasised their role in “reshaping lives and business landscapes globally.” He termed the inevitability of these disruptions as the new norm.
Rao said is it a must to embrace technological advancements. He applauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a “New Digital India” and the establishment of a robust national digital infrastructure, incorporating initiatives like Aadhaar, UPI, GST, and universal access to bank accounts.
Highlighting India’s prowess in digital economy, Rao said, “Today India is home to 111 unicorns with a total valuation of $ 349.67 Billion and we are ranked 3rd just after USA and China. Transformation into a Digital economy has been the key to success for India. India’s digital economy has undergone a meteoric rise in recent years. Driven by factors like increased smartphone penetration, affordable data plans, and a burgeoning startup ecosystem, it has become a global powerhouse, attracting significant investments and generating vast opportunities for businesses and individuals alike.”