Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Andhra Pradesh has the potential to emerge as a key growth engine for Viksit Bharat (Developed India), as he inaugurated, dedicated to the nation and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 17,900 crore in Bhogapuram, Vizianagaram district.
Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister said the multi-sectoral projects spanning airport infrastructure, road connectivity and energy security reflect the rapid pace of development in the state.
Highlighting the significance of the occasion, PM Modi said the projects would contribute to the vision of Swarna Andhra and strengthen the state’s role in India’s growth story. He also lauded the participation of more than 13,000 tribal women and girls in a Dhimsa dance performance, describing it as a celebration of the country’s cultural diversity and indigenous heritage.
The Prime Minister said the newly inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport would serve as a catalyst for the growth of North Andhra and create new opportunities for the region’s youth. Named after freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju, the airport is expected to boost tourism, trade, investment and employment while improving regional connectivity.
Referring to the growth of India’s aviation sector, PM Modi said the number of operational airports has increased from 74 in 2014 to 166, making air travel more accessible to people from smaller cities. He also highlighted the success of the UDAN scheme and said its second phase has been launched with an investment of Rs 29,000 crore to further expand regional air connectivity.
The Prime Minister said Andhra Pradesh has always possessed the capability to become a growth engine for Viksit Bharat and noted that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, is working to accelerate the state’s development.
Emphasising infrastructure development, PM Modi said railway projects worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore are currently under implementation in the state. He added that Andhra Pradesh’s entire railway network has been electrified and more than 70 railway stations are being modernised to improve connectivity with major industrial centres.
The Prime Minister also outlined plans to strengthen the state’s Blue Economy by modernising ports from Visakhapatnam to Krishnapatnam and developing new ports at Mulapeta and Ramayapatnam, alongside expanding highway and expressway infrastructure, including the Visakhapatnam–Raipur Expressway.
He said the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan is integrating rail, road, port and airport infrastructure to improve logistics, facilitate industrial growth, benefit farmers and enhance the ease of doing business.
Highlighting the state’s potential in advanced manufacturing, PM Modi said the foundation stone for a new semiconductor plant in Visakhapatnam marked a major step towards building a technology-driven industrial ecosystem and creating high-skilled employment opportunities.
He also pointed to ongoing investments in artificial intelligence and data centres, including Google’s proposed USD 15-billion campus, as indicators of growing global interest in Andhra Pradesh. In addition, he said the Centre is supporting the development of a major Pharma Park at Nakkapalli, while renewable energy investments exceeding Rs 5 lakh crore have been attracted to the Rayalaseema region.
The Prime Minister said projects worth nearly Rs 2 lakh crore had been launched during his last three visits to Andhra Pradesh, underscoring the government’s commitment to accelerating development. He expressed confidence that the latest projects would strengthen the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) and help transform it into one of Asia’s leading economic hubs.
Concluding his address, PM Modi said sustained public and private investment would drive manufacturing, boost exports, create employment and improve living standards, contributing to the twin goals of Swarna Andhra and Viksit Bharat.
