Andhra CM sets 6-month deadline for Amaravati, Tirupati econ region master plans

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to prepare master plans for the Amaravati and Tirupati Economic Regions within six months, saying the state's comprehensive development can be achieved only through optimal utilisation of resources. Reviewing the Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati Economic Regions at the Secretariat, Naidu instructed officials to place the draft master plans before the public and elected representatives for feedback before finalising them.

"Optimal utilisation of resources is key to Andhra Pradesh's comprehensive development, and the master plans for the Amaravati and Tirupati Economic Regions must be ready within six months," the CM said in an official press release. He also directed officials to prepare District Economic Profiles for every district within two months, asking Collectors to identify sectors with growth potential. The CM said horticulture has the potential to transform Rayalaseema and should serve as the growth engine of the Tirupati Economic Region, directing officials to accord top priority to the sector in the region's master plan and promote the cultivation of more than 25 horticulture crops.

Citing Lingala mandal in Kadapa district, which recorded a per capita income of about Rs 7.3 lakh through horticulture cultivation, Naidu called for a detailed study of the model, saying it demonstrates the sector's potential to improve livelihoods. He said Rayalaseema, which is well suited for horticulture, should also attract food processing industries to improve people's living standards. The chief minister said Rs 40,000 crore under the Purvodaya scheme and another Rs 60,000 crore through private investments would provide a major boost to the horticulture sector.

He said the Tirupati Economic Region should compete with the Visakhapatnam and Amaravati regions by leveraging its strengths in horticulture, mineral resources, pilgrimage centres and tourism. He highlighted pilgrimage destinations such as Tirupati, Srikalahasti and Srisailam, educational institutions including IIT, mineral resources such as gold, iron ore and limestone, tourism destinations including Gandikota, Horsley Hills and Talakona, and industrial hubs such as Sri City, Orvakal and Kopparthi. Naidu said the Tirupati region offers investment opportunities in space, aerospace, defence, drones, renewable energy, automobiles, food processing and electronics.

Referring to the proposed four-line railway corridor from Ichchapuram to Chennai, he asked officials to maximise the benefits of the project for the region's development. Officials informed the CM that the Tirupati Economic Region has been assigned a target of becoming a USD 0.90 trillion economy under the Swarna Andhra 2047 Vision of making the state a USD 2.4 trillion economy.

Comprehensive development plans are being prepared for nine districts in the region by a three-member committee. CM Naidu also directed officials to develop Sports Cities in Amaravati, Visakhapatnam and Tirupati through private participation and prepare plans to host international sporting events, instructing officials to prepare an action plan for developing beach fronts along the state's coastline, including a master plan for Suryalanka Beach.

He directed officials to develop the proposed 'Vizag Bay City' over 51.8 sq km on the pillars of coastal tourism, global business and innovation ecosystem, and global talent and elite living. Officials should invite leading companies to invest in the project. Officials informed the chief minister that 3,291 acres of government land have been identified within the Bay City area, adding that the Visakhapatnam Economic Region has attracted 49 projects so far, of which 18 have been grounded, 12 are expected to be grounded shortly and 19 are in the planning stage.

The CM, however, set a three-month target for bringing an international convention centre spread over one lakh square feet, hotels and IT projects to the region. He also directed officials to develop Araku, Paderu and Visakhapatnam as a tourism circuit and earmark land exclusively for wellness centres, while leveraging ports and fishing harbours to drive regional growth.

Officials informed that the Amaravati Economic Region accounts for 32 per cent of the state's population and 33 percent of its geographical area. Comprising nine districts, including West Godavari, Eluru, Krishna, and Prakasam, the region benefits from its central location and skilled workforce. Krishna district has the highest per capita income among them. The officials said district-level workshops are being organised for the region's development. Naidu suggested preparing plans to harness aquaculture, palm oil, cocoa cultivation and the potential of Kolleru Lake to accelerate economic growth.

Naidu said reviews of the three Economic Regions would be held once every two months.