Image Source: The Economic Times
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday called Amaravati "a dream come true" as he launched and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth more than ₹58,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh. The ceremony, which took place in Amaravati, is the restart of the city's construction as the state capital and marks a renewed thrust for infrastructure and economic development in the state.
Speaking at a massive public meeting with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan by his side, PM Modi referred to Amaravati as a "symbol of aspirations" and assured the Centre's complete cooperation in transforming Andhra Pradesh into a growth hub for a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India). He stressed that Amaravati, where tradition and modernity would come together, would give wings to the vision of "Swarna Andhra" - the government's ambitious vision to turn the state into a $2.4 trillion economy by 2047.
"Amaravati is not just a city; it is a force propelling Andhra Pradesh's path towards becoming a leading state in India's development narrative," Modi asserted, drawing on the region's cultural and spiritual heritage.
Key Projects and Investments
74 significant infrastructure projects for ₹49,000 crore were inaugurated, among which was the Assembly building, High Court building, Secretariat building, judicial residences, and 5,200-family dwellings.
Urban infrastructure enhancement: There are plans for over 1,200 km of roads incorporating bundled utilities, cycle tracks, and sophisticated flood mitigation systems through the Land Pooling Scheme.
Transport and connectivity: Seven National Highway projects and several railway upgrades to enhance connectivity between Rayalaseema, Amaravati, and prominent religious and tourist sites.
Defence developments: The ground-breaking ceremony for the DRDO's Nava Durga Missile Testing Range at Nagayalanka, a ₹1,460 crore project, was performed to enhance India's defence readiness.
Economic and social programmes: The PM Ekta Mall in Visakhapatnam will promote national integration, encourage Make in India, and enable rural craftsmen.
Political and Strategic Importance
The restoration of Amaravati as the state capital realizes a longtime dream of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, who had previously watched the project halted in 2019 under the earlier government's three-capital scheme. With the return of the TDP-led NDA to power, the development of Amaravati is once again at the center of Andhra Pradesh's growth plan.
PM Modi reaffirmed his allegiance to the state, assuring, "You will always find me with you for the development of Andhra Pradesh." He also honored iconic former Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao (NTR), referencing the late leader's vision of a developed Andhra Pradesh and calling for concerted efforts to transform Amaravati as the growth engine of a developed India.
Outlook
The initiatives initiated today are anticipated to build a strong foundation for Andhra Pradesh's future, making Amaravati a center for information technology, artificial intelligence, green energy, clean industry, education, and healthcare. PM Modi emphasized that these projects are not merely infrastructure, but the "strong foundation of the ambitions of Andhra Pradesh and Viksit Bharat".
Relevant Sources Times of India, PM India (pmindia.gov.in), Business Standard, Elets News Network, Economic Times, Daily Excelsior
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