Metro India News | AMARAVATI

In a significant push for clean energy and industrial development, Andhra Pradesh IT & Electronics Minister Nara Lokesh laid the foundation stone for Reliance New Energy’s Integrated Compressed Biogas (CBG) Plant near Divakarapalli village, P.C. Palli Mandal, Kanigiri constituency. This milestone project, spanning 475 acres, marks the beginning of a major investment plan by Reliance in Andhra Pradesh, with a total investment of Rs.65,000 crore aimed at generating 2.5 lakh jobs across the state.

The event saw the presence of Reliance Industries Director P.M.S. Prasad, Reliance Industries Limited AP & TS Mentor P.V.L. Madhava Rao, and Reliance Bioenergy CEO Harindra K. Tripathi. Minister Lokesh emphasized that this initiative aligns with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s P4 Policy, aiming for a poverty-free Prakasam.

“This project is not just about energy but about empowering farmers and creating large-scale employment,” Lokesh stated. The plant will utilize Napier grass for biogas production, ensuring a stable income for farmers, with lease payments of Rs.15,000 per acre for government land and Rs.31,000 per acre for private land. Farmers will also receive a fixed price for the grass they cultivate, strengthening the agricultural economy.

Reliance’s investment plan includes the establishment of 500 CBG plants across Andhra Pradesh, with Kanigiri emerging as a central hub. Five CBG plants are specifically planned in this region, utilizing 500,000 acres of barren land across Prakasam, Anantapur, Chittoor, and Kadapa. Once fully operational, these plants will produce 1.1 million metric tons of organic fertilizer annually.

Lokesh assured that Andhra Pradesh is on the path to becoming a clean energy leader, with the first phase of the Reliance CBG project setting the benchmark. He pointed out that this development fulfills a promise made during the Yuvagalam Padayatra to boost Prakasam’s industrial and employment landscape.

Reliance is developing four major CBG hubs across India, with Prakasam playing a pivotal role. The government has already allocated 5,000 acres of land in the district, including 497 acres in Kanigiri, to support this initiative. Lokesh announced that the foundation stone for Kanigiri IIIT will also be laid soon, reinforcing the region’s growth trajectory.

Minister Lokesh criticized the previous government for failing to attract industries, stating that between 2019 and 2024, Andhra Pradesh lost several major investments. “Instead of bringing new companies, they drove away giants like Lulu, Amara Raja, and HSBC. In contrast, TDP has already signed investment agreements worth ₹8 trillion within weeks of returning to power,” he said.

Lokesh highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s industrial potential, pointing out that global giants like Reliance, NTPC, ArcelorMittal, BPCL, Tata Power, TCS, and LG Electronics are eager to invest. He reiterated his commitment to creating 20 lakh jobs over the next five years as part of the government’s vision for rapid economic growth.

Reaffirming the state’s investor-friendly environment, Lokesh shared how Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s strong ties with Reliance date back to the era of Dhirubhai Ambani. The CM’s foresight in predicting India’s telecom revolution played a crucial role in Reliance’s expansion. Lokesh recalled a recent meeting with Mukesh Ambani and Anant Ambani, where he assured them of policy support, resulting in the swift execution of the clean energy investment plan.

Lokesh also announced upcoming infrastructure projects, including the Kanigiri railway project, which will commence in August under the supervision of CM Chandrababu Naidu. Efforts are being made to complete the Veligonda irrigation project, ensuring water accessibility to farmlands.