PM Modi lays foundation for Amaravati's revival, launches Rs 58,000 crore projects in Andhra Pradesh
NEW DELHI:
on Friday launched and laid the foundation stone for a slew of development initiatives worth over Rs 58,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh, including the resumption of Amaravati's construction as the state's capital.
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He pledged the Centre's full support to develop Andhra Pradesh into a growth engine for a 'Viksit Bharat'.
Addressing a public gathering in Amaravati alongside Andhra Pradesh chief minister N
Chandrababu Naidu
and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, the Prime Minister called the city a symbol of aspirations. 'Amaravati was the name of the capital of Indralok, and it is not merely a coincidence that Amravati is the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
It is a sign of the establishment of '
Swarna Andhra
'. 'Swarna Andhra' will strengthen the pathway for a
Viksit Bharat
and Amravati will empower the vision of 'Swarna Andhra',' he said.
As part of the relaunch of Amaravati's capital city project, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for 74 projects worth Rs 49,000 crore, including the construction of Assembly, high court, Secretariat, judicial quarters, and housing for 5,200 families.
He also initiated infrastructure and flood mitigation works featuring a 320 km transport network, underground utilities, and advanced flood management systems.
Reaffirming his long-standing admiration for CM Naidu's vision, PM Modi recalled, 'When I was newly elected CM of Gujarat, I was very closely monitoring the initiatives Chandrababu Naidu was taking in Hyderabad. I learned a lot, and today, I got the opportunity to implement them.'
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Highlighting Amaravati's future potential, he said the city would become a hub for IT, AI, green energy, education, and healthcare, fulfilling the dreams of the state's youth. 'The central government is extending all necessary support and infrastructure to the state government to foster growth and development in these areas,' he added.
The Prime Minister also stressed that between 2014 and 2019, the Centre had provided all possible assistance to Amaravati's construction.
Paying tribute to former CM NT Rama Rao, he said, 'We have to work unitedly to make Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh the growth engine of Viksit Bharat… We have to fulfil NTR's dream. Chandrababu, brother Pawan Kalyan, we have to do it and we only have to do it.'
Among the key announcements were nine Central projects worth Rs 5,028 crore, including a Rs 1,459 crore DRDO missile testing centre in Nagayalanka (Krishna district), a Rs 100 crore PM Ekta Mall in Visakhapatnam, and multiple road and rail connectivity upgrades.
The PM Ekta Mall will promote 'Make in India', empower artisans under the 'One District One Product' scheme, and enhance the market presence of local crafts. Six national highway projects worth Rs 3,176 crore, and a rail overbridge at Guntakal were also greenlit to improve inter-state connectivity and logistics.
Further, PM Modi dedicated three railway projects worth Rs 254 crore and inaugurated eight national highway works worth Rs 3,860 crore, aimed at boosting tourism and providing easier access to destinations like Tirupati, Srikalahasti, and Malakonda.
Underscoring the Centre's commitment to farmers, PM Modi said over Rs 12 lakh crore had been spent to make fertilisers affordable nationwide, while Andhra farmers received Rs 5,500 crore under PM Fasal Bima Yojana and Rs 17,500 crore through the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.
PM Modi noted that India's rapid infrastructure growth over the last decade has made it one of the fastest-modernising nations. 'Between 2009 and 2014, the combined railway budget for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana was under Rs 900 crore.
Today, AP alone gets over Rs 9,000 crore,' he said.
Calling Amaravati not just a city but 'a Shakti to transform Andhra Pradesh,' PM Modi assured the people of the state: 'You will always find me with you for the development of Andhra Pradesh.'
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