AP Cabinet Approves 25 Major Proposals, Boosts Education, Industry and Infrastructure

The 53rd Andhra Pradesh Cabinet meeting on Thursday approved 25 key proposals covering welfare, higher education, industrial investment, infrastructure, irrigation, healthcare and renewable energy, reinforcing the government's strategy of combining social welfare with investment-led economic growth. The Cabinet also reviewed the progress of flagship projects, including the Bhogapuram International Airport, the proposed Google Data Centre in Visakhapatnam, and other strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening the state's industrial and digital ecosystem. Information and Public Relations Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy announced the decisions after the meeting.

A landmark decision was the approval for Andhra Pradesh's first Government Degree College exclusively for hearing-impaired students at Vedullapalli in Bapatla district. Scheduled to begin in the 2026-27 academic year, the institution will offer B.Com, Computer Applications (Major) and Artificial Intelligence certification courses with an initial intake of 30 students. The government said the initiative would improve higher education access and employment opportunities for hearing-impaired students across the state.

The Cabinet also sanctioned ₹50 crore for preparations for the Godavari Pushkaralu-2027, with funds earmarked for traffic management, surveillance systems, medical camps, command-and-control centres, disaster response teams, fire services and river safety measures across the Godavari districts to ensure smooth conduct of the mega religious event.

In a significant welfare initiative, the government launched the 'Netannala Sevalo' scheme for Below Poverty Line (BPL) handloom families. Under the programme, 51,952 weaver families will receive ₹25,000 annually, involving a total outlay of ₹129.88 crore. The financial assistance is intended to support the purchase of yarn, dyes and modern weaving equipment, helping improve productivity and sustain traditional livelihoods.

To strengthen higher education, the Cabinet approved the establishment of Vishnu Women's University in Bhimavaram and Chalapathi University in Lam, Guntur district, with 35% of seats reserved under the government quota. The universities are expected to promote research, innovation and industry-oriented skill development.

The Cabinet further approved land allotments for several strategic investment projects, including AM Green Energy's 700 MW solar and 300 MW wind power projects in Nandyal, a Compressed Biogas Plant in Kuppam, an aviation and aerospace centre in Puttaparthi, and additional land for APIIC and Greenko projects. It also cleared the development of six specialised industrial parks under the Bharat Udyogik Vikas Yojana, including Space City in Tirupati, Drone City in Kurnool, an Aerospace Park in Sri Sathya Sai district, an Organic Food Park in Anakapalli, a Textile Park in Palnadu and a Renewable Energy Manufacturing Park in Prakasam district.

The Cabinet granted ₹641.10 crore for the Neradi Barrage under the Vamsadhara Stage-II Project and approved a revised estimate of ₹312 crore for the Handri-Neeva Sujala Sravanthi Project to improve irrigation infrastructure. It also approved a State Government guarantee enabling AP MARKFED to secure a ₹300 crore term loan from the Central Bank of India, besides clearing proposals related to healthcare, tourism and industrial infrastructure.