CM Chandrababu announces economic master plan for Visakhapatnam region

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the development of the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER), spanning from Srikakulam to Konaseema. He emphasized the need to formulate policies to attract investments, industries, and projects in these areas.

During a review meeting at the Secretariat on the development of the Visakhapatnam Economic Region, senior officials from the Chief Secretary’s office, departments of Finance, Investment, Infrastructure, Tourism, IT, Municipal Administration, Industries, Agriculture, and Planning were present.

The Chief Minister outlined a vision to transform the Visakhapatnam Economic Region into a growth hub for the state. He instructed officials to consider local economic conditions, investment potential, living standards, and sustainable development while preparing the Economic Master Plan.

According to the CM, the region has the potential to become a global economic hub based on seven key focus areas. He highlighted the strategic role of ports in handling large-scale cargo and suggested seamless transport of goods from the Srikakulam Mulapeta Port to Kakinada Port, extending to hinterlands in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh.

The Chief Minister also recommended establishing shipbuilding centers from Mulapeta to Dugarajapatnam Port. He envisioned the region as part of an East-West Corridor connecting northern and southern states. With 12-15 manufacturing nodes, the Visakhapatnam Economic Region is set to emerge as a major industrial zone.

Special attention will be given to clean and green energy projects. The CM highlighted opportunities in next-generation IT data centers and AI innovation hubs in Visakhapatnam, while other areas in the region could be developed as national and international healthcare hubs. Planned urbanization, housing projects, and slum redevelopment programs will also be prioritized.

The Chief Minister projected investments of $100-115 billion in the region. He estimated $15 billion from central government projects and $85 billion from private corporations. Plans are underway to connect the region’s ports via railway lines, with the central government preparing to expand these routes into four lanes.

CM Naidu instructed officials to identify and develop projects using a cluster-based approach, linking policies to specific initiatives such as medical tourism under the state healthcare policy. Officials also proposed the establishment of a Visakhapatnam Economic Region Authority, which the CM endorsed, emphasizing the need for a coordinated action plan to ensure effective implementation.