Since the coalition government came to power, we have initiated the development of various projects… and now, as per the Chief Minister’s instructions, we will develop the approximately 20 projects that the previous government had abandoned.
BUREAU CHIEF
RAJA PENTAPATI AMARAVATI
JANUARY 27 BHARA NEWSChief Minister Chandrababu Naidu instructed officials to cultivate horticultural products in accordance with the demand in the global market. He directed them to prepare development plans accordingly. The Chief Minister suggested preparing an action plan with the goal of producing 500 lakh metric tons of produce in the Rayalaseema, Prakasam, and Markapuram districts.
On Tuesday, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the integrated development plans for making 10 districts the focal point of the horticulture sector with ministers and senior officials from various departments at the Chief Minister’s camp office. He directed that development programs be undertaken by coordinating the utilization of Purvodaya, Saakshi, and state government funds.
At the same time, the Chief Minister clarified that irrigation projects in the Rayalaseema, Prakasam, and Markapuram districts should be completed expeditiously. Ministers Nimmal and Payyavula Keshav mentioned that the previous government had completely neglected the irrigation sector and left many projects pending.
Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu directed that the construction of projects in the 10 districts be undertaken based on priorities, and that projects that can be completed quickly with less funding should be taken up first. He clarified that the Veligonda project construction should be completed this year.
He also suggested preparing plans for the reconstruction of the Annamayya project, which was washed away due to the negligence of the previous government. The Chief Minister instructed officials to focus on the Galeru-Nagari project to take Krishna river waters to Kadapa. Officials explained that more than 20 projects would need to be developed in this direction.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that these projects would provide irrigation water to a new ayacut of 8.87 lakh acres and stabilize irrigation for another 4.30 lakh acres. He directed them to take steps to undertake projects not only in the Rayalaseema region but also in the North Andhra districts. He said that once the Polavaram left canal works are completed, Godavari waters can be taken to North Andhra. He suggested that the Polavaram-Vamsadhara river linking project could then be undertaken.
In the meantime, the Chief Minister suggested that plans should be prepared for undertaking construction based on priorities in the North Andhra region.
Minister Atchannaidu opined that if these projects are completed, there is a great possibility of a significant increase in the cultivation of horticultural crops in the Rayalaseema, Prakasam, and Markapuram districts. Minister Atchannaidu informed the Chief Minister that proposals have been made to develop horticultural crops in 201 clusters and 303 mandals across 10 districts.
He also explained that plans have been made to expand the area under horticulture cultivation from 8.41 lakh hectares to 14.41 lakh hectares in three years. The Chief Minister suggested that the Rayalaseema region is already at the forefront in the country in terms of horticultural produce, and that Rayalaseema, Prakasam, and Markapuram districts should be developed into the world’s largest cluster for horticultural products.
The Chief Minister revealed in the meeting that DP World, a company based in Dubai, has come forward to set up a horticulture cluster in Andhra Pradesh. He stated that there is ample scope for the Rayalaseema region to develop in the horticulture sector at an international level, and emphasized the need to develop an appropriate ecosystem for this.
As part of this, he directed officials to study international best practices. The Chief Minister also suggested focusing on aspects such as rural road networks, logistics, market connectivity, and global connectivity, which are essential for the development of the horticulture sector locally.
The Chief Minister clarified that private investments should be attracted into the horticulture sector, in addition to the funds received through Purvodaya. He directed officials to formulate plans for food processing units, port connectivity, warehouses, cold chain, and other logistics infrastructure. Chief Secretary Vijayanand and senior officials from the Finance, Irrigation, Agriculture, Horticulture, Ports, and Roads & Buildings departments participated in the meeting.
Andhra Pradesh
