VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the need to establish an information bank in the State as part of the farmers’ partnership programme that makes them aware of the economic opportunities at the global level by a single click.
On Sunday, Naidu participated in a review meeting with officials over attracting huge investments to capital city of Amaravati. He said that farmers’ sacrifice was crucial and resulted in global acclaim for Amaravati in a short span of over two years. To value their sacrifice and to show gratitude, the CRDA should strictly follow the policy of ‘Farmers First’ in Amaravati, said Naidu. Officials should adopt foolproof mechanisms to make all the people of Andhra Pradesh a part of the socio-economic development of Amaravati.
Responding to the CM’s suggestions, CRDA commissioner Ch Sridhar informed him that his agency is planning to conduct awareness campaign/workshops for farmers involving global experts and other stakeholders. These workshops or campaigns share the knowledge of economic activity to the farmers. He also informed Naidu that CRDA already returned 70,732 plots to the farmers from whom the lands were acquired.
Special chief secretary for energy and infrastructure Ajay Jain, along with CRDA commissioner Sridhar, informed the CM that the master plan for Amaravati consists of 27 self-sufficient townships. CRDA focussed on integrated development of the townships. He informed the CM that JICA also agreed to support the comprehensive traffic and transportation study (CTTS) at global standards for the capital region. As far as infrastructure development is concerned in Amaravati, 85 kms of roads have been tendered out and construction is going on at a cost of Rs 1,245 crore. Apart from this, three additional major roads totalling a length of around 30 km have also been tendered out for a cost of Rs 890 crore.
Commissioner of CRDA forecasted the growth projections of Amaravati in the coming years. In the next three years, 40,000 to 70,000 jobs will be created adding Rs 4,000 crore to the State GSDP. In 10 years, it would reach six lakh jobs and the addition to the GSDP would be about Rs 30,000 crore. In 20 years, an additional 11 lakh jobs could be added to the present workforce and Rs 85,000 crore production would be added to State’s GSDP.
CM further felt that the App “Mana Amaravati” developed by APCRDA in support from AJNA networks could be helpful to farmers to showcase their plots to the global audience.