New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development works worth over Rs. 2 lakh crore in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday. Paying his respects to Lord Simhachalam Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy, Modi noted that it was after a gap of 60 years, with the blessings of the people, a Union Government was elected for the third time in a row in the country. He added that officially, it was his first programme in Andhra Pradesh after the formation of the government. Modi thanked the people for the grand welcome during the roadshow prior to the event and acknowledged the sentiments expressed by Chandrababu Naidu in his speech. Modi expressed confidence in achieving all the goals outlined by Naidu with the support of the people of Andhra Pradesh and India.

“Our Andhra Pradesh is a state of possibilities and opportunities,” Modi declared. He emphasised that realising these possibilities would lead to the development of Andhra Pradesh, contributing to India becoming a developed nation. Modi reiterated that the development of Andhra Pradesh is a vision and serving its people is a commitment. He highlighted that Andhra Pradesh had set a target to become a $2.5 trillion economy by 2047 and acknowledged the efforts of the ‘Swarna Andhra@2047’ initiative launched by Naidu's government. The Union government, he stated, was working in tandem with Andhra Pradesh to achieve these goals, prioritising projects worth lakhs of crores. He congratulated the people of Andhra Pradesh and the nation on the inauguration of projects worth more than ₹2 lakh crore.

Highlighting Andhra Pradesh's status as an IT and technology hub, Modi remarked that it was time for the state to become a centre for futuristic technologies, such as green hydrogen. He noted that the National Green Hydrogen Mission, launched in 2023, set a target of producing 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen by 2030. In the initial phase, two green hydrogen hubs will be established, one in Visakhapatnam, making it one of the few cities globally with large-scale green hydrogen production facilities. This initiative will create numerous jobs and foster a manufacturing ecosystem in Andhra Pradesh.

Modi also laid the foundation stone for the bulk drug park project in Nakkapalli, one of three such parks in the country. This park will provide infrastructure for manufacturing and research, boosting investor confidence and supporting local pharma companies.

The government, Modi noted, views urbanisation as an opportunity, aiming to make Andhra Pradesh a model of new-age urbanisation. The foundation stone for the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area, part of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, was laid today. This smart city project is expected to attract significant investments and create millions of industrial jobs in Andhra Pradesh.

Modi emphasised the government's commitment to promoting manufacturing through initiatives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, positioning India among the top global manufacturers. The South Coast Railway Zone headquarters' foundation stone was also laid in Visakhapatnam, fulfilling a long-standing demand and enhancing regional trade, tourism, and the local economy.

Andhra Pradesh's coastal region, a historic trade gateway, will benefit from the promotion of the blue economy. Modi stressed the modernisation of the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour, boosting income for those in fisheries and enhancing maritime security.

The government is dedicated to inclusive development across all sectors, ensuring the benefits reach every section of society. Concluding, Modi congratulated everyone on the newly inaugurated projects, which promise prosperity for Andhra Pradesh.

The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Abdul Nazeer, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, and Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan, were present among other dignitaries at the event.

BI Bureau