CM for development of North Andhra to witness reverse migration

Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu outlined an ambitious roadmap for the development of North Andhra, declaring that the region would soon transform into a major investment and employment hub witnessing a reverse migration.

Participating in the 'Swarnandhra'Swachhandhra' programme at Tamrapalli in Narasannapeta constituency of Srikakulam district, the Chief Minister said the government was committed to balanced development of all the regions including North Andhra, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra.
Addressing a public meeting, the Chief Minister said the government had launched the Swachhandhra initiative with the goal of building a cleaner and healthier Andhra Pradesh. As part of the programme, the government has intensified road-cleaning drives in both urban and rural areas through the 'Swachha Patham' initiative.
The Chief Minister announced the launch of 'Operation Clean Sweep,' a month-long statewide sanitation drive involving officials, public representatives and citizens. He said the government had already cleared 121 lakh metric tonnes of waste over the last 23 months and would achieve 100 percent legacy waste clearance by June.Swachhandhra is not just a programme'it is a people's movement, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister highlighted several major waste-management initiatives, including Waste-to-Energy projects, compressed biogas plants, integrated waste-processing facilities, e-waste collection systems and green shops encouraging plastic recycling. He added that Andhra Pradesh aims to increase green cover from the present 31.33 percent to 50 percent by 2047.
The Chief Minister said the state was progressing with a long-term vision to make Andhra Pradesh a leading economy by 2047. He noted that the current per capita income of Rs 3 lakh would be increased significantly over the next two decades through technology, industrialisation and welfare reforms.
On infrastructure and investments, the Chief Minister said the government had signed investment agreements worth Rs 23 lakh crore in the last 23 months, expected to generate nearly 24 lakh jobs. He announced that major companies including Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, ArcelorMittal and ReNew Power were expanding investments in North Andhra.
The Chief Minister further announced that Bhogapuram Airport would be inaugurated in July and new airports would also be developed in Srikakulam district and Palasa. Mulapeta Port, he said, would become a major economic advantage for North Andhra and would be operational this year.
Focusing on irrigation, the Chief Minister said the government had prepared a detailed irrigation calendar for North Andhra projects. He announced that the long-pending Neredi Barrage had secured Central clearances and foundation works would begin in November.
The Neredi project, a long-standing aspiration of the people of this region, will be completed within the next three years, the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also urged citizens to support national economic resilience by promoting 'Made in Andhra' and 'Made in India' products, reducing unnecessary imports, encouraging natural farming and preferring public transport wherever possible.
As part of austerity measures during the district visit, the Chief Minister travelled with a convoy of only four vehicles. He later reviewed development stalls at the venue and interacted with local artisans, officials and public representatives.
Ministers Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, Kondapalli Srinivas, Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu were present.