Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu wrapped up a power-packed visit to the national capital with a clear mission—rebuild the state, accelerate development, and secure the Centre’s backing on key issues ranging from infrastructure to defence.
Speaking to the media after a series of strategic meetings with Union Ministers, Naidu said he urged the Centre to officially declare Amaravati as the capital of Andhra Pradesh by amending the Reorganisation Act, marking a critical step on the 10th anniversary of the state’s bifurcation.
Naidu didn’t hold back in his assessment of the past five years under the YSRCP government. “The damage done from 2019 to 2024 has set the state back significantly. It will take at least a decade to fully recover,” he remarked, citing unpaid bills worth ₹1.2 lakh crore and developmental stagnation.
He reaffirmed his party’s promise to reconstruct the state and noted that Andhra Pradesh had already attracted the highest investment influx this year, signaling renewed investor confidence.
Green Energy Vision
The Chief Minister highlighted his ambitious renewable energy agenda, anchored by the newly launched ‘AP Integrated Clean Energy Policy’, aiming to generate 72 GW of green power. Under the ‘PM Surya Ghar’ scheme, the state plans to deliver solar power to 3.5 million households, targeting 10,000 homes per constituency.
To support this bold vision, Naidu has requested a ₹28,346 crore Green Energy Corridor, and said Union Power Minister Pralhad Joshi gave a positive response. He also welcomed the Centre’s approval of 2,000 MW of power under the KUSUM scheme, expressing confidence that Andhra Pradesh could soon become India’s Green Energy Hub, offering 24/7 electricity via sustainable sources.
Defence Manufacturing Push
Naidu’s meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also bore fruit. He outlined a vision to turn Andhra Pradesh into a defence manufacturing powerhouse, unveiling proposals for multiple strategic hubs:
Missile and Ammunition Protection Centre in the Jaggaiahpet-Dolakonda cluster (6,000 acres).
Aircraft and electronics manufacturing in Lepakshi-Madakasira.
Naval R&D and experimentation facilities in Visakhapatnam-Anakapalli.
Drone and robotics production units in the Kurnool-Orvakal region.
A Centre of Excellence under DRDO at IIT Tirupati.
Naidu also proposed the establishment of a military cantonment in the state, and said Rajnath Singh responded positively to all proposals.
Water for Rayalaseema: Polavaram-Banakacharla Project
Turning to irrigation, Naidu revealed plans for the massive ₹80,000 crore Polavaram-Banakacharla water diversion project, designed to redirect 200 TMC feet of water to Rayalaseema, which otherwise flows into the sea. He emphasized that this project would not affect neighbouring states and urged the Centre to greenlight funding. Discussions with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman are already underway.
As his meetings wrapped up, Naidu projected confidence that with central cooperation, Andhra Pradesh is poised to undergo a historic transformation—rebuilding what was lost and accelerating into a future of clean energy, advanced infrastructure, and strategic growth.
