North News
New Delhi, January 8
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stone and inaugurated development projects totaling over ₹2 lakh crore in Visakhapatnam of Andhra Pradesh, marking a significant milestone in the state’s infrastructure and green energy initiatives.
Speaking at the event, Modi paid homage to Lord Simhachalam Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy and acknowledged the historic significance of the Union Government’s third consecutive term, a first in 60 years. He expressed gratitude for the warm reception received during his prior roadshow and commended Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s vision for the state.
“Our development of Andhra Pradesh aligns with our national vision of transforming India into a developed nation,” Modi stated. He highlighted Andhra Pradesh’s ambition to become a $2.5 trillion economy by 2047 under the ‘Swarna Andhra@2047’ initiative, emphasizing the central government’s commitment through projects worth lakhs of crores.
A focal point of the inauguration was the first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Modi announced Visakhapatnam as one of the global cities to host large-scale green hydrogen production facilities, aiming to produce 5 million metric tonnes by 2030. This initiative is expected to generate numerous jobs and foster a robust manufacturing ecosystem in the region.
Additionally, Modi laid the foundation for a bulk drug park in Nakkapalli, one of three such parks in India, designed to enhance infrastructure for manufacturing and research in the pharmaceutical sector. He also initiated the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area, or Kris City, as part of the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, projected to attract substantial investments and create millions of industrial jobs.
Highlighting advancements in the transportation sector, Modi unveiled the headquarters for the South Coast Railway Zone in Visakhapatnam, a long-awaited development aimed at boosting agricultural, trade, and tourism activities. He also announced enhancements in railway electrification and the development of over 70 stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, alongside the introduction of new Vande Bharat trains to improve connectivity.
Modi underscored the importance of the blue economy, promoting maritime opportunities through the modernization of Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour and the provision of support services like Kisan Credit Cards for fishermen. He assured that these initiatives would enhance maritime security and economic growth along Andhra Pradesh’s coast.
“The infrastructure revolution in Andhra Pradesh will transform the state’s landscape, enhancing both living standards and business operations, and laying the foundation for our $2.5 trillion economy,” Modi concluded.
