From high-speed rail to Polavaram, CM Naidu takes Andhra Pradesh’s development agenda to Delhi
The meetings were aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, strengthening farm livelihoods and securing long-pending central clearances for the state.
By - Newsmeter Network
From high-speed rail to Polavaram, CM Naidu takes Andhra Pradesh’s development agenda to Delhi
New Delhi: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday held a series of high-level meetings with Union Ministers in New Delhi, submitting detailed representations on rail connectivity, agriculture, irrigation, inter-state water disputes and urban sanitation.
The meetings were aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, strengthening farm livelihoods and securing long-pending central clearances for the state.
Railway Push: High-speed corridors, freight lines and new terminals
The Chief Minister met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and sought time-bound completion of ongoing railway projects, sanction of new lines and introduction of additional passenger services in Andhra Pradesh.
Referring to the high-speed rail corridors announced in the Union Budget—Hyderabad–Bengaluru, Hyderabad–Chennai and Chennai–Bengaluru—CM Naidu thanked the Centre for routing three corridors touching the state.
He requested that the Bengaluru–Chennai corridor be extended up to Tirupati to improve connectivity to the major pilgrimage city.
CM Naidu urged the Railways to issue a Gazette notification to operationalise the South Coast Railway Zone from April 1. He also sought approval for greenfield mega coaching terminals at Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Amaravati.
Freight corridor between Itarsi and Vijayawada
To boost freight movement, the Chief Minister proposed a dedicated freight corridor between Itarsi and Vijayawada and an East Coast Freight Corridor from Kharagpur to Chennai via Vijayawada, linking major ports in Andhra Pradesh.
He further requested allocation of empty reefer containers at a 50 per cent concessional rate to facilitate banana exports from Tadipatri to Mumbai’s JNPT port.
The CM also pressed for sanction of new railway lines in Rayalaseema and tribal regions, a high-speed link between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, a semi-high-speed corridor between Vijayawada and Kurnool, and a high-speed link between Tirupati and Chittoor.
He sought approval for a Hyderabad–Srisailam–Markapur rail line to improve pilgrimage connectivity and requested the operation of a Vande Bharat service between Vijayawada and Bengaluru via Tirupati. Additional demands included express train stoppages at Kuppam and the establishment of a coach maintenance terminal in the region.
Agriculture and Natural Farming: Funds, incentives and farmer support
Earlier, CM Naidu met Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Shivraj Singh Chouhan, focusing on natural farming, crop diversification and farmer welfare.
He informed the Minister that Andhra Pradesh recorded a 2.28 per cent reduction in chemical fertiliser usage during 2024–25, with 18 lakh farmers opting for organic and natural farming across nearly 8 lakh hectares.
Seeking expansion of the Community Managed Natural Farming programme, CM Naidu requested the release of funds under the PM PRANAM scheme and Rs 216 crore pending for 2024–25.
Highlighting the coconut sector’s potential, the CM sought Rs 200 crore in central assistance for coconut development, including processing parks, tender coconut markets on the Karnataka model, farmer training and nursery expansion, initiatives expected to generate employment for about 15,000 people.
He also requested the release of Rs 695 crore under the Per Drop More Crop scheme and sought Rs 100 crore as the Centre’s share under the Price Deficiency Payment System for Totapuri mango farmers for the 2025–26 season, noting that the state had already compensated farmers even for the Centre’s portion.
Further, CM Naidu proposed setting up a Makhana Development Board in Andhra Pradesh, citing the suitability of nearly 50,000 acres in the Kolleru Lake region for makhana cultivation.
Irrigation and Water Security: Polavaram and inter-state disputes
In his meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil, the Chief Minister pressed for approvals and financial support for critical irrigation and drinking water projects.
CM Naidu sought permanent lifting of the stop-work order on the Polavaram Project and full Central assistance for Polavaram Phase II, including land acquisition, rehabilitation and protective embankments, stating that Phase II alone requires around Rs 32,000 crore.
He also requested reimbursement of additional costs incurred due to capacity enhancement of the project’s canals.
The CM presented the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar Link Project as a vital initiative to divert surplus Godavari waters to drought-prone regions and sought approvals under the National River Linking Policy.
On inter-state issues, he urged early notification of the final report of the Vamsadhara Water Disputes Tribunal to enable construction of the Neradi Barrage and called for immediate constitution of the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal to resolve disputes with Telangana.
He also cautioned against Karnataka’s proposal to increase the height of the Almatti Dam, warning of adverse downstream impacts on Andhra Pradesh.
Urban Sanitation: Zero landfill vision
CM Naidu also met Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar, seeking support for the state’s Swachh Andhra initiative.
He outlined a comprehensive roadmap under Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0 to make Andhra Pradesh India’s first Zero Landfill State, with an estimated outlay of Rs 276 crore. The Chief Minister requested approval of Rs 105 crore as the Centre’s share to implement the action plan across urban local bodies.
Finance and development priorities
Separately, CM Naidu met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at Parliament and discussed Andhra Pradesh’s development priorities, central assistance and financial support for key state projects.
Naidu also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed key state-related issues, including ongoing and proposed projects, and sought the Centre’s support on funding and approvals.
CM Naidu thanks Centre for Vizag Steel plant revival, seeks continued support
In his meeting with Union Minister for Steel H D Kumaraswamy, CM Naidu thanked the Central Government for its timely intervention in reviving the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
The Chief Minister said the turnaround of RINL was achieved through Central financial assistance, sustained support from the Andhra Pradesh government, and the collective efforts of the plant’s workforce.
He informed the Union Minister that the steel plant has not only returned to profitability but is now operating at full capacity, marking a major milestone for the iconic PSU.
CM Naidu urged the Centre to continue extending support and cooperation to further strengthen RINL and ensure its long-term stability, growth and competitiveness.
