VIJAYAWADA: The State Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Secretariat, has approved a wide range of measures across capital infrastructure, urban development, irrigation, industry, agriculture and energy.
The highlight was the sanction of over Rs 6,750 crore for construction projects in Capital Amaravati, alongside Rs 124.50 crore for the new Andhra Pradesh Bhavan in New Delhi.
Briefing the media on Thursday, Minister for Finance and Legislative Affairs Payyavula Keshav outlined the Cabinet decisions. In the capital region, the Cabinet cleared Rs 2,540 crore for advanced works at the Integrated Secretariat and HoD Towers, including glass cladding, atrium, skylight canopy, PV panels, and BMU systems.
Amaravati’s Quantum Valley will see the construction of Twin Office Towers (T1 & T2) at a cost of Rs 1,208.41 crore, while the Legislative Assembly Complex will be strengthened with Rs 798 crore for the spire, parking ring, roof, and approach bridges over Palavagu.
Flood protection works along the Krishna River’s right embankment were revised to Rs 443.26 crore, with the scope expanded from retaining walls to embankments.
In Zone-11, Undavalli village, Rs 580 crore was sanctioned for land pooling scheme layout development works, covering roads, canals, water supply, sewerage, ICT ducts, STP, and plantation.
Additionally, rerouting of 220 kV EHV lines through underground cables was approved at a cost of Rs 1,180.54 crore, replacing earlier estimates.
The Cabinet also cleared amendments to municipal laws to standardise mutation charges across urban local bodies, simplify lease renewals of municipal assets, and provide stamp duty exemptions for waste-to-energy plants in Nellore, Kakinada, Kurnool and Kadapa clusters.
A landmark decision was approval for the construction of the new AP Bhavan in New Delhi on 11.536 acres of government land. The project, estimated at Rs 124.50 crore, will be executed by NBCC and designed to reflect Andhra Pradesh’s culture and traditions while offering modern facilities.
Coastal infrastructure received a major boost with revised administrative approval of Rs 1,586.69 crore for the construction of three fishing harbours at Budagatlapalem (Srikakulam), Pudimadaka (Anakapalli), and Kothapatnam (Prakasam). Earlier approval was Rs 1,150.79 crore only.
The harbours will provide modern landing and berthing facilities, benefiting over 12,700 fishermen and supporting around 2,530 fishing vessels. Pudimadaka harbour will be additionally developed with cargo handling facilities to serve nearby industrial clusters, easing logistics and reducing dependence on major ports.
The Cabinet also approved variation works in the Ramayapatnam Greenfield Port project, covering changes in dredged soil disposal and additional costs for dredging in harder soil layers. The revisions will raise the project cost by Rs 354.23 crore, expediting completion and strengthening infrastructure.
In irrigation, the Cabinet enhanced rehabilitation benefits for Polavaram project oustees under the One-Time Settlement scheme. The unit cost for house construction was raised from Rs 2.85 lakh to Rs 3.57 lakh, while house site value for those building outside R&R colonies was doubled from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. Additional works worth Rs 7.48 crore were entrusted to Surya Cons Pvt Ltd for the construction of a drain siphon and escape channel in the Polavaram Left Main Canal.
In Sri Sathya Sai district, revised estimates of Rs 309.92 crore were approved for the modernisation of the Punganur branch canal under the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi project, replacing earlier sanctions of Rs 207.20 crore. To support paddy procurement and distribution for the Rabi 2025-26 season, AP Markfed was permitted to secure a fresh working capital loan of Rs 1,800 crore from NCDC with government guarantee. The loan will be transferred to APSCSCL, supplementing the existing Rs 12,053 crore.
The Revenue Department approved multiple land allotments. They include 10.10 acres in Renigunta of Tirupati district for an International Sports-Centric School at Rs 11.36 crore; 92 acres in Kadapa for an integrated solid waste management facility at Rs 4.83 crore; 22.74 acres in Prakasam for an industrial hub at Rs 3.18 crore; 13.71 acres in Chittoor for agro-industry infrastructure; 11.82 acres in Anantapur for MIG layouts; and 10 acres in Kakinada for fisheries cage culture projects leased for 33 years.
Land was also transferred free of cost to the Judicial Department in Kakinada Urban, and 1.5 acres in Machilipatnam were allotted to the Bhogaraju Pattabhi Sitaramayya Memorial Trust for a memorial building worth Rs 37.56 crore.
In addition, land was allotted for TDP district offices in Vizianagaram, Ongole, Kurnool, Rajamahendravaram, Eluru and Parvathipuram on long-term leases.
In the industry, the Cabinet approved the allotment of nearly 600 acres in Puttaparthi of Sri Sathya Sai district for a defence industry project under DRDO.
Ratification was also given to APIIC’s borrowing of Rs 75 crore from banks to meet revised expenditure for water supply works, with repayment to be made by the State government.
Agriculture saw approval for continuation of village-level farm machinery banks equipped with Kisan drones into 2025-26 under the same norms as the previous year, with funds allocated and directions to recover lapsed Central funds.
About 2,000 AP Special Protection Force constables were promoted as head constables. . Creation of 21 new posts was approved in the judiciary, including Court Managers, to strengthen the High Court and district courts. The Office Manager post at AP Bhavan’s Advocates-on-Record Office in New Delhi will be upgraded.
