North coastal A.P. likely to come under Vizag Customs with launch of Bhogapuram airport

The northern coastal Andhra Pradesh will come under the jurisdiction of the Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs and CGST-Visakhapatnam zone as soon as the Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport in Vizianagaram district is officially inaugurated, said N. Sridhar, Principal Commissioner of Customs, Visakhapatnam.

Speaking to The Hindu on Monday (February 16), Mr. Sridhar said Visakhapatnam customs jurisdiction will be upgraded after Bhogapuram airport starts functioning. “Official direction will be received from the higher authorities soon, and the process is on. Staffing and surveillance and the entire ecosystem of customs will be improved. Our entire operational system will be on a technological path. The passenger terminal building with 22 conventional check-in counters and 10 security check lanes at the new airport will integrate advanced technology-driven passenger processing systems designed to increase efficiency. This will be a major milestone for the Customs connected to the new airport.”

Mr. Sridhar added that Visakhapatnam Customs earned a revenue of ₹13,207.85 crore in the financial year 2024-25. Despite the target of a revenue of ₹11,958.08 crore in the current financial year till January 2026, it has earned ₹12,891.42 crore. So, this is a growth rate of 7.81%. The annual target of customs is ₹14,360 crore, he said. “The tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Indian exports have had only a marginal impact on shrimp exports,” Sridhar admitted.

Meanwhile, addressing a gathering on the occasion of International Customs Day-2026 with the theme “Customs protecting society through vigilance and commitment” here on Monday, Principal Chief Commissioner Sanjay Rathi said: “The integrity and transparency of the Customs Department has gained further momentum with the introduction of body-worn cameras by Customs officers at airports and while boarding ships.”

Visakhapatnam City Police Commissioner Shankabrata Bagchi, who was the chief guest at the event, lauded the Customs services for their vigilance and commitment in protecting society and their contribution to the national exchequer. “Custom officers are invisible warriors,” he added.

Later, total 30 entities received awards, including Visakha Container Terminal Private Limited under Top Custodian (port) category, RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (Best Importer), among others.