Metro India News | AMARAVATI

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday led the 79th Independence Day celebrations in Andhra Pradesh with a mix of ceremonial grandeur and political messaging, unveiling a flagship women’s travel scheme while reaffirming deadlines for key irrigation and infrastructure projects.

At the Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium in Vijayawada, Naidu unfurled the national flag, took the salute from marching contingents of police, armed forces, and NCC cadets, and reviewed a parade that drew loud applause from thousands of schoolchildren and citizens in the stands. Cultural tableaus showcased the state’s achievements in agriculture, education, and industry.

Calling Independence Day a moment to match aspirations with action, Naidu announced the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme, offering free APSRTC bus travel to women. “When we enable our women to move freely, we empower families, strengthen communities, and fuel development,” he said, describing the initiative as an “Independence Day gift” to half the state’s population.

The Chief Minister presented a report card of his coalition government’s first year, claiming to have delivered on all ‘Super Six’ election promises. These included Talliki Vandanam, by providing financial aid to mothers for children’s education, with a Rs.10,000 crore allocation. NTR Bharosa Pensions, which are being given to 64 lakh beneficiaries at their doorstep. Annadata Sukhibhava is being implemented with Rs.3,173 crore to 47 lakh farmers, each receiving Rs.7,000 from state and Centre.Deepam 2.0 scheme by giving three free LPG cylinders annually to poor families, costing Rs. 2,684 crore. Revival of 204 Anna Canteens, serving over 5.16 crore affordable meals.

On infrastructure, Naidu reiterated the target to complete the Polavaram project by December 2027 and Velugonda by July 2026. He said the government would take up the Banakacherla project to divert surplus Godavari floodwaters to drought-prone Rayalaseema without affecting the rights of other states. “When we bear the brunt of floods as a downstream state, it is only fair that we use that water,” he said, in an apparent response to Telangana’s objections.

Naidu accused the previous YSRCP government of mismanagement, alleging it had stalled key projects, left roads and irrigation works in disrepair, and suspended welfare schemes. “We are restoring what was stopped and fixing what was damaged,” he said, adding that micro-irrigation subsidies and SC benefits halted earlier had been resumed.

Turning to economic revival, the Chief Minister said the State Investment Promotion Board had approved Rs.5.94 lakh crore in proposals across 113 projects, with potential to create 5.56 lakh jobs. He said major IT firms, including Google, TCS, and Cognizant, had committed new investments, while the Centre had sanctioned a semiconductor unit and funds for Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

On public safety, he warned that harassment of women, including on social media, would invite strict legal action. Saluting the armed forces for their service, including in Operation Sindoor, Naidu pledged that Andhra Pradesh would stand “shoulder to shoulder” with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in advancing national development.

The event concluded with a march-past, cultural performances, and tableaux from government departments, drawing loud applause from the packed stadium. Naidu left the gathering with a pledge to make Andhra Pradesh a “model state” built on welfare, irrigation-led growth, and industrial expansion.