The Andhra Pradesh state cabinet has approved the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport project in Nellore district, marking a significant step in strengthening the state’s aviation and industrial infrastructure. With this approval, Dagadarthi will become the eighth airport in Andhra Pradesh, supporting the government’s vision of building a future-ready, multimodal logistics and industrial network.

According to an official release, the airport’s strategic location offers strong connectivity to national highway corridors, major ports such as Krishnapatnam Port and Ramayapatnam Port, and key industrial clusters, including KRIS City and IFFCO special economic zones. This positioning is expected to make the airport a key enabler for manufacturing, exports, agri-logistics and services-led growth in southern Andhra Pradesh.

The project has already secured in-principle clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation. A request for proposal has been issued to invite private participation for the development, operation and maintenance of the airport under a long-term concession framework.

Planned for development in multiple phases, the Dagadarthi airport will span 1,332.8 acres. Phase 1 has been designed to handle 1.4 million passengers per annum, with the master plan allowing for scalability to a long-term capacity of up to 15 million passengers annually. Provision has also been made for a future cargo terminal to support the region’s expanding industrial base and port-led trade activity.

The government said the Dagadarthi Greenfield Airport is envisioned as more than an aviation asset, positioning it as a catalyst for regional transformation. By integrating air connectivity with ports, highways and industrial zones, the project is expected to lower logistics costs for exporters and manufacturers, attract fresh investments in industry, warehousing and services, generate employment across construction, aviation and logistics, and strengthen Andhra Pradesh’s appeal as a business and investment destination.

With the cabinet’s approval, the state government said Andhra Pradesh continues to demonstrate its focus on speed, scale and certainty in infrastructure development, laying the groundwork for sustained economic growth and improved global connectivity.