Prime Minister Modi inaugurated development projects worth 17,900 crore rupees in Andhra Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated, laid the foundation stone, and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth over Rs 17,900 crore in Andhra Pradesh. He termed these projects as a significant step towards giving a new pace to the state's infrastructure, connectivity, and industrial development.

Inaugurating the Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) airport at Bhogapuram, Modi described it as a "runway for regional development" and a "launching pad for the bright and prosperous future of the youth."

Addressing a public meeting at Bhogapuram, which was also attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Ponnamma Kalan, and Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Ram Mohan Naidu, Modi said these projects related to airports, roads, railways, and energy would play a crucial role in transforming Andhra Pradesh into a major economic hub.

He said, "Today, people from small towns are also traveling by air with ease, whereas in the past, air travel was limited to major cities."

The Prime Minister said the central government's UDAN scheme had expanded regional air connectivity, making air travel possible even for the economically weaker sections. He also mentioned the second phase of the scheme, for which an investment of Rs 29,000 crore is being made.

Modi said the center is working to strengthen the country's blue economy by developing the entire coastal area of Andhra Pradesh as a Coastal Economic Corridor. He informed that historic ports like Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam are being modernized, while new ports are also being built at Machilipatnam and Ramayapatnam.

He said, "Our strategic vision is to promote this entire region as a developed coastal economic corridor."

The Prime Minister said a network of highways and expressways, including the Visakhapatnam-Raipur Expressway, is being laid to promote better connectivity and industrial development.

He stated that work is underway on railway projects worth nearly Rs one lakh crore in the state, including complete railway electrification and modernization of over 70 railway stations.

Referring to the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, Modi said connecting the infrastructure of roads, rail, ports, and airports would reduce transportation costs, provide better connectivity to industries, benefit farmers, and make doing business easier.

He said, "When this modern logistics network is fully developed, industries will get better connectivity, farmers will get huge benefits, and the business environment will become even better."

Emphasizing emerging technologies, the Prime Minister said Andhra Pradesh has the potential to become a major hub for future manufacturing, along with its strong IT industry.

He said, "Our top priority now is to focus on modern technologies like semiconductors so that our youth can reap the maximum benefits."

According to him, this would create new employment opportunities and further strengthen the state's technology ecosystem.

Modi also mentioned investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers and termed Google's proposed $15 billion campus in Andhra Pradesh as evidence of growing interest among global investors.

He said, "Several other global companies are also looking for new opportunities here, which will greatly benefit the youth of the state and the country."

Referring to his previous visits, the Prime Minister said that during his last three visits to Andhra Pradesh, projects worth nearly Rs two lakh crore have been inaugurated. He reiterated the center's commitment to making the Visakhapatnam economic zone one of Asia's leading economic centers.

He said the government's development strategy is based on investment that creates employment, promotes manufacturing and exports, and improves people's income and standard of living.

The Prime Minister said, "When employment opportunities increase, people's income increases automatically, and there is a significant improvement in the daily life of families."

On the occasion, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister K. Ponnamma Kalan, and Union Minister for Civil Aviation K. Ram Mohan Naidu also addressed the gathering.