AP Govt Plans to Transform North Andhra Into a Major Economic Hub

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday said the government is committed to transforming North Andhra into a major economic hub through large-scale investments , infrastructure expansion and industrial growth.

Addressing the ‘Swarna Andhra–Swachh Andhra’ public meeting at Tamrapalli in Srikakulam district, the Chief Minister said the region would witness rapid development in the coming years, creating massive employment opportunities and reducing migration for livelihoods.

Expressing concern over declining population growth, Chandrababu announced special financial incentives for larger families. The government would provide ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child, he said, adding that population decline could affect the state’s future economic strength. He also said the government was continuing welfare support through the ‘Talliki Vandanam’ scheme while strengthening Anganwadi services.

Highlighting sanitation efforts, the Chief Minister said the government had cleared 121 lakh tonnes of garbage across the state during the past 23 months under the ‘Swachh Patham’ initiative. He added that all legacy waste would be removed by next June.

To strengthen waste management systems, the government is establishing 6 waste-to-energy projects and 6 compressed biogas plants with an investment of ₹1,254 crore . Another 107 integrated waste management plants worth ₹603 crore are expected to become operational by October. Chandrababu also launched the month-long ‘Operation Clean Sweep’ campaign to improve sanitation standards across urban and rural areas.

On the industrial front, the Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh had secured investment commitments worth ₹23 lakh crore , expected to generate jobs for nearly 24 lakh people. Major firms including Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, ArcelorMittal and ReNew Power are expected to invest in North Andhra.

He said Reliance was planning a massive data centre project with an investment of ₹1 lakh crore in the state. Chandrababu also announced that the Bhogapuram International Airport would be inaugurated in July, while a new airport would be developed at Palasa in Srikakulam district. The Mulapeta Port project is also expected to become operational this year, he added.

The Chief Minister further stated that the government had prepared a special irrigation calendar to accelerate pending irrigation works in North Andhra. Projects including Madduvalasa Stage-II, Hiramandalam Lift Irrigation Scheme, Vamsadhara Phase-II, Thotapalli distributaries and Jhanjavathi are targeted for completion by 2027 .

He also announced that all approvals had been secured from the Centre for the long-pending Neradi Barrage project. Foundation works for the project would begin in November this year and the project would be completed within 3 years , he said.

During the visit, Chandrababu travelled with a modest 4-vehicle convoy and later interacted with tribal artisans after visiting stalls set up by various government departments.