Residents living along the stretch between Vizianagaram and the upcoming Bhogapuram airport have grown used to a daily obstacle course. What were once smooth village roads are now cratered tracks, scarred by the steady stream of heavy vehicles ferrying construction material to one of Andhra Pradesh's most ambitious infrastructure projects. After The Hindu highlighted the plight of these communities, the district administration has moved quickly. Vizianagaram Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy has directed GMR, the concessionaire building the airport, to repair the damaged roads, and has separately asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to connect the airport to the service roads along the national highway.
The complaint that triggered action
The trouble had been building for months. According to local accounts, the roads linking villages around Bhogapuram, Nellimarla, and the outskirts of Vizianagaram began deteriorating once construction traffic intensified. Trucks carrying gravel, cement, and heavy machinery used these interior roads as shortcuts, and the bitumen surfaces simply could not cope. Potholes deepened with every monsoon shower, and two-wheelers had to weave dangerously around them.
Residents say the situation became particularly bad near school zones and bus stops, where children and daily commuters had no safe alternative. Some villagers reported that ambulance access had slowed, a serious concern in an area where the nearest major hospital is in Vizianagaram town. When these grievances reached the media, the district administration could not afford to ignore them.
What the Collector has ordered
Following the report, Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy convened a review meeting with officials from GMR, NHAI, and the district roads and buildings department. The outcome was a clear directive: GMR must restore the damaged stretches to their original condition, and it must do so without further delay. The company has been asked to begin patchwork and re-laying immediately, with a completion timeline that district officials will monitor.
The Collector also flagged a second, longer-term issue. The airport site currently connects to the national highway through narrow, inadequate approach roads. To prevent future bottlenecks and to keep heavy construction traffic off village lanes, Reddy asked NHAI to integrate the airport with the highway's service roads. NHAI officials, according to the review, said the necessary changes would be made within a couple of weeks.
Why Bhogapuram airport matters
Bhogapuram is not just another airport. It is being developed as a greenfield international airport to serve the coastal belt of North Andhra Pradesh, an area that has long depended on Visakhapatnam's existing airport. Once operational, it is expected to handle a significant share of passenger and cargo traffic, and it is a cornerstone of the state's plans to attract investment to the region.
The project has been in the works for years, with GMR Infrastructure leading the development under a public-private partnership. For people in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, the promise is substantial: jobs, better connectivity, and a boost to tourism and trade. But mega-projects cast long shadows, and the damage to local roads is one of them.
The bigger question: who pays for the damage?
This is where the story becomes more than a local grievance. Across India, large infrastructure projects routinely damage the very roads that local communities depend on. Contractors often promise to restore them, but enforcement is patchy. In this case, the district administration has stepped in, but the underlying question remains: should a private concessionaire be solely responsible for repairing public roads, or should the state build in stronger safeguards from the start?
Some residents argue that the damage was predictable. Had the airport developer been required to use designated haul routes and maintain them from day one, the problem might never have escalated. Others point out that NHAI's service road connection should have been planned alongside the airport itself, not as an afterthought. These are not just complaints; they are lessons for future projects.
What happens next
For now, the ball is in GMR's court. The company has not publicly commented on the directive, but district officials say they expect work to begin soon. NHAI's promised service road integration will be watched closely, because it could permanently divert heavy traffic away from village roads.
In the meantime, residents are cautiously hopeful. "We just want our roads back," says a shopkeeper near Nellimarla, who asked not to be named. "The airport is good for our children's future, but we cannot wait years for basic repairs."
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Vizianagaram Collector order GMR to repair roads?
The Collector acted after reports highlighted that roads in villages around Bhogapuram were severely damaged by heavy vehicles used for airport construction. Residents complained about safety and access issues, prompting the district administration to direct GMR to restore the roads.
What did NHAI say about connecting the airport to the highway?
NHAI officials told the Collector that they would make the necessary changes to link the airport with the national highway's service roads within a couple of weeks. This is expected to reduce traffic on village roads.
Is Bhogapuram airport already operational?
No, the airport is still under construction. It is being developed as a greenfield international airport to serve North Andhra Pradesh and is expected to open in phases.
How will the road repairs affect local residents?
Once repaired, the roads will be safer for daily commuters, school children, and emergency vehicles. The service road connection will also keep heavy construction traffic away from residential areas.
What can be done to prevent similar damage in future projects?
Experts suggest that infrastructure contracts should include strict maintenance clauses, designated haul routes, and penalties for damage to public roads. Early coordination with NHAI and local bodies can also help.