Modi visits Kurnool; Political observers note Bihar poll implications

YS Sharmila, leader of the YSR Telangana Party, has raised concerns over the pace of development in Andhra Pradesh, criticizing the central government for delays in infrastructure and cultural projects, particularly the Srisailam Mallanna temple corridor.

Speaking during remarks in Kurnool in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit, Sharmila questioned why several long-standing projects in the state remain pending. She specifically highlighted the Srisailam temple corridor, contrasting it with other regions such as Varanasi and the Ganga river development, which have reportedly received central attention and funding.

“If intentions were genuinely for the state’s development, why hasn’t a single rupee been sanctioned for Srisailam Mallanna temple?” she said, referring to the master plan prepared by the Andhra Pradesh government with an estimated budget of ₹1,657 crores.

YS Sharmila also drew attention to other pending initiatives in the state, including:

• Amaravati capital development: Despite master plans and discussions on loans, significant progress is still awaited.

• Industrial projects: Promises regarding Kadapa steel and Visakhapatnam steel have faced delays in approvals and implementation.

• Rayalaseema development package: Special packages aimed at backward regions of the state have not yet been formalized.

Background and verified facts:

• The Srisailam temple corridor project has been under discussion since around 2014–2015. A detailed master plan was prepared in 2019–2020, with the state government proposing an estimated budget of ₹1,657 crores.

• Implementation has been delayed due to pending central approvals, environmental and forest clearances, and administrative coordination between state and central authorities.

• Industrial projects in Kadapa and Visakhapatnam have also faced delays, which are largely procedural.

• Other claims, such as the Prime Minister’s visit being politically motivated for Bihar elections, reflect Sharmila’s political perspective and are not independently verifiable.

Sharmila recalled that similar concerns had been raised during past visits to Tirupati, emphasizing that the state has faced repeated delays in development despite assurances from the central government. She stressed that pending approvals and unfulfilled project commitments have affected the progress of Andhra Pradesh, including both cultural heritage and industrial infrastructure initiatives.

Observers note that while administrative, environmental, and funding processes account for part of the delay, Sharmila’s remarks underscore the frustration among state leaders regarding the pace of development and central coordination.

Summary:

YS Sharmila criticized the central government over delays in key Andhra Pradesh projects, including the Srisailam temple corridor, Amaravati, and industrial initiatives. She highlighted concerns over pending approvals and stressed the need for timely execution to benefit both heritage and infrastructure development.