VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to evolve micro-level plans for comprehensive development of Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER), ensuring that no area or sector within the region is left behind. He emphasised that the development strategy should promote balanced and holistic growth across the entire region.
Reviewing the VER development plans at his camp office in Undavalli on Wednesday, he said from Mulapeta Port in Srikakulam to the Akhanda Godavari project in Rajamahendravaram, every region and every sector should be developed to attract investments.
“Experience zones should also be created wherever required. All projects should be integrated to ensure the region’s overall progress. The Visakhapatnam Bay City project will play a pivotal role in the VER. Large-scale urban development should take place through this project by converging funds from various schemes. Greater efforts should also be made to secure Central funding. The six Urban Development Authorities within the VER should witness remarkable transformation. This project should be leveraged to create world-class infrastructure across the VER,” he said.
The officials informed him that the VER has the potential to attract investments worth `9.5 lakh crore, including Rs 5.3 lakh crore from the private sector, while government investment of Rs 3.5-4 lakh crore would also be required. They highlighted that major projects such as the Google AI Data Centre and the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel Plant have already positioned Visakhapatnam and North Andhra as emerging investment destinations.
They further explained that Visakhapatnam already possesses a strong ecosystem for IT and data centres, and that the VER development plan has been designed accordingly, with the Bay City serving as the anchor project.
Naidu moots industrial townships
Naidu said development should be aligned with the aspirations of local communities, while attracting projects and investments that generate employment opportunities.
Local youth should be equipped with upgraded skills to meet the demands of emerging industries. Projects should be implemented in line with Coastal Management Plans. Industrial ecosystems and townships should be developed. Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects should be promoted, and the feasibility of extending Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support should also be examined. The VER project must fully comply with CRZ regulations.
The government should continuously communicate to the public about the ongoing development works, projects being undertaken and the employment and livelihood opportunities they will create. Educational institutions and universities should be actively involved in the planning process. In particular, the expertise of Andhra University should be effectively utilised, Naidu said.
He said integrating all major projects would yield better outcomes and stressed the need to focus on sectors such as GCCs (Global Capability Centres), fintech and logistics integration.
“The concept of East-West Connectivity is now being discussed at the national level, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also highlighted its importance,’’ said the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
