{
  "id": 32926,
  "title": "ASR Airport attracts huge crowd, not for grand launch, but for 'freebies' | Watch viral video of people stealing plants",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/asr-airport-attracts-huge-crowd-not-for-grand-launch-but-for-freebies",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-02T06:34:25.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/trends/asr-airport-attracts-huge-crowd-not-for-grand-launch-but-for-freebies-watch-viral-video-of-people-stealing-plants-11785648132811.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) International Airport in Bhogapuram, Andhra Pradesh, saw a massive crowd gathering in the city on Saturday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked the opening of the airport, which is one of the largest in India, spanning over 2,200 acres. Despite the grand ceremony, many locals viewed the event as an opportunity to take free plants and flag rods home. Authorities deployed 5,000 State buses and nearly 7,000 private and VIP vehicles to facilitate public transport for the occasion. Nonetheless, numerous people were caught stealing the planted beautification items, including plants with roots, to take them home. The unusual scene drew attention online, with comparisons drawn to a similar incident in Bihar and comments on the lack of civic sense. Some users remarked that there were no paid inspectors, while others joked about the \"return gifts.\" A few even expressed concern that the people might not take care of the plants once planted at their homes. The airport is set to commence commercial operations on 17 August 2026 and has the potential to handle up to 40 million passengers per annum, with developers aiming to boost global connectivity, industrial investment, and tourism.",
  "summary": "The inauguration of Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport attracted a huge crowd, with locals taking plants home. Watch viral video of locals collecting freebies.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}