KADAPA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced that the construction of the much-anticipated steel plant in Kadapa will commence within the next 10 days.
Naidu made this announcement after being re-elected as the National President of the Telugu Desam Party on the second day of the ongoing Mahanadu conclave on Wednesday. The declaration, made by the party’s election committee chairman Varla Ramaiah, drew loud cheers from party leaders and workers.
After assuming charge, Naidu addressed the party workers and revealed that the Rs 4,500 crore, three-Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) steel project, set to be developed by industrialist Sajjan Jindal’s JSW Steel, is expected to generate over 3,000 jobs and serve as a cornerstone for industrial growth in the region. “This project alone will provide employment to more than 3,000 people,” Naidu told a cheering crowd. “It marks the beginning of a new industrial era for Rayalaseema.”
Highlighting his government’s commitment to balanced development, the Chief Minister said, “Our policy is clear—decentralization of development. We are committed to developing every region of the state equally. Large-scale industries must be established in Rayalaseema to ensure balanced growth.”
The Kadapa steel plant had earlier faced multiple delays. However, a recent high-level meeting between CM Naidu and JSW Chairman Sajjan Jindal at the Chief Minister’s residence in Delhi helped revive the stalled project, paving the way for swift execution.
Naidu also unveiled a bold blueprint for statewide water connectivity, with the Banakacherla project taking centre stage. Calling it a transformative initiative, Naidu declared, “Once the Polavaram–Banakacherla linkage is completed, the state will see immense benefits.”
Interlinking of rivers a long-term solution to drought, says Naidu
The multi-phase plan aims to divert water from the Polavaram project to the Krishna River, channel it to the Bollapalli reservoir, and finally deliver it to Banakacherla, ensuring uniform water access across regions. Emphasizing the interlinking of rivers as a long-term solution to drought and regional disparities, Naidu stated, “Linking rivers from Vamsadhara to Pennar will be a tribute to Telugu soil.” He added that redirecting water that would otherwise flow into the sea could benefit both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Naidu also urged the Centre to establish a new defence manufacturing hub in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in the Lepakshi region of Anantapur district, not to relocate any existing institution. “Lepakshi is an ideal site for defence and aerospace industries. I’ve always advocated for fresh investments, not the relocation of projects from other states,” he explained.
He accused the previous YSRCP government of enabling ganja cultivation at the village level and institutionalizing crime, vowing strict action against offenders. Naidu announced major developmental initiatives in Rayalaseema, including Rs 3,800 crore worth of water projects. He promised to complete the Polavaram project by December 2027, incorporating an interlinking initiative to distribute water across the state.
Declaring Andhra Pradesh a clean and green energy hub, he committed to generating 160 GW of power through Rs 10 lakh crore in investments, creating 7.5 lakh new jobs. He reiterated that there would be no increase in electricity tariffs and promised free solar panel distribution to SC/ST families.
The government also aims to establish industrial parks in all 175 constituencies and promote tourism through projects such as Gandikota, the Chief Minister added.