Centre backs AP culture push

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Centre has given an in-principle nod to several cultural infrastructure proposals submitted by the Andhra Pradesh government, with formal approvals expected within a month, Tourism, Culture and Cinematography Minister Kandula Durgesh said on Friday after meeting Union Culture Secretary Vivek Agarwal in New Delhi.

The proposals include establishing regional centres of the National School of Drama in Rajamahendravaram and the Sahitya Akademi in Kadapa, besides a state-of-the-art Kalakshetra Auditorium at Vijayawada's GVR Music and Dance College. The Centre has also responded positively to proposals for regional centres of the Lalit Kala Akademi and the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

Durgesh said the initiatives would strengthen Andhra Pradesh's cultural ecosystem and revive its artistic heritage. He also promoted the state's tourism potential at the Faith Tourism Conclave 2026 in New Delhi.