VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday. They discussed a slew of issues pertaining to Andhra Pradesh, with a focus on funding for construction of Amaravati capital city.
It may be recalled that Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, while presenting the Budget in July, had announced that Rs 15,000 crore will be arranged for the development of Amaravati.
Naidu thanked Modi for approving the Revised Cost Estimates for the Polavaram Project and handholding the State in matters related to resolution of fiscal stress.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister sought support on a few issues, including sanction for a few national highway projects critical for the State’s development.
Additionally, he requested the Prime Minister to enhance allocation of LPG cylinders to the State under PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) to improve the coverage of the scheme in Andhra Pradesh, and rightfully deliver the intended benefit to about 60 lakh people living below the poverty line (BPL) who were left out from the scheme. He also sought for acceleration of infrastructure projects in the capital city of Amaravati.
Naidu apprised Modi on Swarnandhra@2047 vision, which aligns with the Centre’s Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision, that aims to transform Andhra Pradesh into a $2.4 trillion economy with a per capita income of $43,000 by 2047. The Prime Minister assured all necessary support to the State.
Following the meeting, the Chief Minister took to social media platform X and said the meeting with Prime Minister Modi was fruitful.
Union Ministers Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, TDP Parliamentary Chairperson Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, and others were present also present during the meeting.
Later, the Chief Minister held a meeting with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Naidu requested for operationalisation of the South Coast Railway Zone, while duly retaining Waltair Division to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Visakhapatnam, sanction of a new railway line from Visakhapatnam to Amaravati with an accelerated target to complete it within two years.
Lay new rail line from Machilipatnam to Amaravati, Centre urged
He also asked the Union Minister to sanction a new railway line from Machilipatnam to Amaravati, augmenting the existing railway line capacity from Howrah to Chennai for enhanced connectivity along the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh.
The Chief Minister sought improved connectivity between Visakhapatnam and Nellore under the Namo Bharat initiative.
Naidu stressed on developing a high-speed railway corridor, connecting Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Amaravati to develop an economic quadrilateral, besides prioritising the modernisation of railway stations and its early execution across Andhra Pradesh under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
A request was also made for sanctioning a new railway line connecting Narasapur – Machilipatnam – Repalle – Bapatla and further extending it to link with the Kolkata – Chennai trunk line at Bapatla. This will enhance connectivity between Kakinada and Machilipatnam port. The Minister assured necessary support.
As Vaishnaw also holds the portfolio of Information and Broadcasting, and Electronics and Information Technology, Naidu requested for a National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) to be established in the State to boost IT skills and digital literacy.
He noted that the institute would also enable the State in developing a semi-conductor industry to attract global companies through a lucrative business environment, bringing the fabrication facility to Andhra Pradesh and creating an ecosystem to increase employment in high-tech jobs.
The Chief Minister also requested a Data Embassy to be set up in Andhra Pradesh with international collaboration and for handholding the startup ecosystem in the State for emerging technologies.
Later in a post on X, the Chief Minister said, “Met with Hon’ble Union Minister of Railways, IT and I&B, Shri. @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji and thanked him for taking forward the long-pending assurance of the establishment of a Railway Zone with Vizag as Headquarters. I am hopeful that the foundation stone for the new zone will be laid by December.”