Naidu launches Rs 11,359-crore urban projects

* Kuppam’s growing connectivity with Bengaluru could support its emergence as a satellite township and urged farmers and entrepreneurs to make use of government support to expand economic activity in the constituency.

Chandrababu Naidu, AP CM 

Metro India News | AMARAVATI : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday launched urban infrastructure projects worth Rs 11,359 crore across the State from Kuppam, while outlining plans to develop the constituency as an economic and entrepreneurial hub through poultry, agriculture and allied sectors.

Virtually launching works in 123 municipalities and municipal corporations, Naidu said towns were emerging as engines of economic growth and stressed that urban development should focus on liveability, recreation and economic activity along with infrastructure.

The projects, being taken up under a hybrid annuity model, include Rs 7,469 crore in urban local bodies and Rs 3,890 crore in the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation area. The works cover roads, parks, street lighting, medians and sewerage. The programme includes about 2,165 km of roads, 502 parks, 210 km of medians, 391 km of street lighting and 300 km of sewerage works.

Naidu directed officials to improve public amenities and expand weekend economic activity. He said the government was working to complete TIDCO housing by 2027 and provide round-the-clock safe drinking water in urban areas.

In Kuppam, he interacted with poultry farmers on plans to establish environmentally controlled poultry sheds on a larger scale. A pilot programme is being developed with IB Group to help farmers expand operations as small and medium enterprises.

Mr. Naidu said measures were being formulated to support poultry, dairy, horticulture and sericulture, citing rising demand for eggs and chicken. He also stressed better road and rail connectivity to facilitate movement of poultry products to markets.

He said Kuppam’s connectivity with Bengaluru could support its emergence as a satellite township and urged farmers and entrepreneurs to use government support to expand economic activity.

The Chief Minister said proposals worth about Rs 50,000 crore had been prepared for urban areas, with Rs 22,330 crore already under execution and another Rs17,000 crore expected to commence within six months.