India – In a significant boost to the infrastructure development of Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced on Tuesday that the World Bank has agreed to extend a loan of ₹15,000 crore for the construction of Amaravati, the state’s new capital. The construction is set to commence in December, with a commitment to adhere to a time-bound execution plan. During a press conference in the national capital, Naidu expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support, noting that the Central government has also agreed to release ₹12,500 crore for the construction of the Polavaram project, a major irrigation initiative in the state.
In addition to the capital project, Naidu revealed plans for a refinery to be established by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd, which will involve an investment of ₹85,000 crore. The company is currently conducting feasibility studies to finalize the location for the refinery. The Chief Minister also discussed the ambitious “Swarna Andhra Pradesh 2047” vision document, which aims to transform the state into a USD 2.5 trillion economy with a per capita income of USD 40,000 by the year 2047.
Responding to queries, Naidu indicated that discussions between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are ongoing to resolve pending issues between the two states. He highlighted the expected completion of the upcoming Visakhapatnam International Airport at Bhogapuram by December next year, with plans for the GMR group to establish a “Civil Aviation University” in its vicinity. Naidu detailed his discussions with the Prime Minister regarding the financial struggles faced by the state over the past five years, attributing part of the issue to the previous YSRCP government's alleged mismanagement of central funds and schemes.
He asserted that a backlog of 85 lakh tons of garbage has accumulated in the state due to previous administrative lapses, which the current government is now addressing. The Chief Minister also emphasized requests made to the Centre for the construction of a Greenfield Expressway connecting Vijayawada and Hyderabad, as well as a 185 km Outer Ring Road around Amaravati. As discussions continue at the national level, Naidu noted that the Union government is exploring various options to ensure the viability of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
He concluded his visit by meeting with PM Modi and several Cabinet members, including Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri, to further advance the state’s development agenda. With the World Bank's backing and ongoing support from the central government, the Andhra Pradesh government is poised to make significant strides in its infrastructure and economic goals in the coming years.
