TPN , Vishakapatnam :Steps Towards Ease of Doing Business Led by Chandrababu Naidu
State Education, IT, and Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh stated that a roadmap has been prepared to develop Andhra Pradesh as the No. 1 state in the country by 2047. Speaking as the Chief Guest at the Infrastructure Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Andhra Pradesh branch, at Visakha Novatel Hotel, Lokesh emphasized the government’s priority on infrastructure development. Representatives from leading national industrial organizations attended the conference, which focused on opportunities for establishing new industries, financial resources, and steps to enhance infrastructure development in the state.
Lokesh highlighted that the coalition government is prioritizing infrastructure, stating that due to the previous government’s actions, industrial development in the state faced hurdles. However, under the leadership of Chandrababu Naidu, the state is advancing rapidly toward recovery and growth.
Special Focus on Decentralization of Development
Under Naidu’s leadership, the government is focused on decentralizing development by prioritizing specific sectors in each district. Lokesh mentioned plans for Kurnool district to focus on renewable energy with a target of generating 72 gigawatts of electricity over the next five years. Large-scale hydro, wind, and solar power projects are planned for the area.
Other districts will focus on various industries: automobile manufacturing in Anantapur, electronics in Chittoor and Kadapa, biofuel in Prakasam, capital region development in Krishna and Guntur, and aqua products in the Godavari districts. He added that the green energy sector and the country’s largest petrochemical corridor are being developed in the Godavari districts.
International-Class Data Center in Visakhapatnam
Lokesh announced that Visakhapatnam will be developed as an IT hub, with an international-level data center planned for the city. Uttarandhra will also be developed as a pharma hub. With the upcoming Bhogapuram International Airport, Visakhapatnam and the surrounding districts will witness revolutionary development, and efforts are being made to enhance air connectivity across all districts.
Lokesh emphasized that development should not only focus on ports and airports but also on ensuring that wealth generated from these developments benefits all sections of society. He cited Hyderabad’s airport as an example, which has helped Telangana’s rapid growth. Lokesh promised similar infrastructure improvements for Visakhapatnam, including the Bhogapuram Airport project, which will be developed by GMR.
Maha Visakha: A Trillion-Dollar Economy
Lokesh set an ambitious goal of making Visakhapatnam a trillion-dollar economy and the financial capital of Andhra Pradesh. He revealed that a dedicated freight corridor and the Visakha-Chennai Industrial Corridor are in the pipeline. The state is moving beyond “ease of doing business” to “speed of doing business” under Naidu’s leadership. New industrial, IT, and electronics policies will be announced soon, all designed to attract industry-friendly investments. Lokesh also highlighted the revival of the Economic Development Board (EDB) under the leadership of a young IAS officer to ensure single-point approvals for industries.
He predicted that Visakhapatnam, currently the ninth-largest economic city in India, will become the fifth-largest in the next five years. Lokesh also praised GMR for their contribution to the state’s infrastructure development. He called on industrialists to participate in achieving the government’s goal of creating 20 lakh jobs in the state over the next five years.
Port Development with ₹17,000 Crores: Minister Janardhan Reddy
State Roads, Buildings, Infrastructure, and Investments Minister BC Janardhan Reddy stated that under Naidu’s leadership, the state is taking significant steps in infrastructure development. Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam, Bhavanapadu, and Kakinada gateway ports are being constructed rapidly under the PPP system with an investment of ₹17,000 crores. The National Infrastructure Project is also in the pipeline, with a focus on expanding air connectivity. The construction of Bhogapuram International Airport is progressing swiftly, and Visakhapatnam will be equipped with world-class infrastructure to compete in the global market.
Several critical infrastructure and housing projects will be undertaken in PPP mode. Reddy also mentioned that infrastructure development is advancing rapidly on the Visakha-Chennai, Hyderabad-Chennai, and Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridors, with new greenfield ports being planned.
Bhogapuram Airport to be Completed in 18 Months: MP Bharat
Visakhapatnam MP Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao (Bharat) announced that the government is targeting the completion of Bhogapuram International Airport within 18 months. He pointed out that while Visakhapatnam is ranked 10th in the country in terms of economic development, it ranks 27th in terms of air connectivity. He stressed the need to bridge this gap and noted that international air cargo services have already commenced from Visakhapatnam.
Bharat also revealed plans for the PM Surya scheme, which will introduce individual power units in the state, ensuring cheaper electricity and revolutionary changes in the power sector. Minister Lokesh has focused on completing infrastructure projects in Visakhapatnam as quickly as possible, and he urged for cooperation to expedite their completion.
Regarding traffic issues in the city, Bharat said the widening of the Sheelanagar-Sabbavaram road is underway, while the Anakapalli-Bheemili road passing through Visakhapatnam city is causing congestion. He revealed that 12 flyovers have been proposed to address the traffic problem and an elevated highway is under consideration. Bharat called on industrialists to come forward and invest in housing projects using advanced technology. He concluded by stating that with the youthful leadership in the cabinet, Visakhapatnam is set to develop rapidly, and industrialists should support and cooperate with this growth.