The meeting focused on how the ambitious Purvodaya scheme of the centre can be leveraged to transform the state into the economic powerhouse of India’s eastern seaboard.
Published Oct 24, 2025 | 12:25 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 24, 2025 | 12:25 AM
A view of Visakhapatnam. (Creative Commons)
Synopsis: NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam underscored Andhra Pradesh’s rapid growth trajectory and its strategic advantage with a long coastline and multiple operational ports. “A container megaport could serve as a growth catalyst by integrating port-led industrial corridors, export hubs, and logistics infrastructure under the Purvodaya framework.”
Establishment of a container megaport along Andhra Pradesh’s coast has emerged as the centrepiece of discussions between NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam and Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K Vijayanand at the state Secretariat in Amaravti on Thursday, 23 October.
The meeting focused on how the ambitious Purvodaya scheme of the centre can be leveraged to transform the state into the economic powerhouse of India’s eastern seaboard.
Subrahmanyam underscored Andhra Pradesh’s rapid growth trajectory and its strategic advantage with a long coastline and multiple operational ports. “A container megaport could serve as a growth catalyst by integrating port-led industrial corridors, export hubs, and logistics infrastructure under the Purvodaya framework.”
He said that Andhra Pradesh is uniquely positioned to become the fulcrum of eastern India’s maritime economy, urging the state government to prepare a comprehensive blueprint for the megaport project.
The NITI Aayog chief also advised the state to ready a detailed presentation showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s innovative development models for the upcoming Chief Secretaries’ Conference, where states will share best practices in industrial and regional development.
The Chief Secretary welcomed the proposal and announced the appointment of a special officer to oversee the Visakhapatnam Growth Hub, which is envisioned as a key node under the Purvodaya initiative. He explained ongoing efforts to fast-track industrial projects, attract private investment, and ensure timely central assistance to accelerate growth.
“The state government is fully committed to transforming Visakhapatnam into a global growth hub,” Vijayanand said, urging NITI Aayog to enhance financial allocations to support Andhra Pradesh’s infrastructure and industrial expansion plans.
Launched by the Central Government, the Purvodaya scheme seeks to unlock the latent potential of five eastern states—Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Bihar—through infrastructure investment, industrial development, and skill-building.
The initiative is intended to spur port-led development, robust connectivity through roads, airports, and power grids, and enhanced education and skill-training capacity to create a globally competitive workforce. It also aims to bolster agriculture and allied sectors, strengthen industrial corridors, and promote balanced regional growth — a crucial step toward achieving Viksit Bharat 2047.
The proposed container megaport fits seamlessly into this larger vision, promising to elevate Andhra Pradesh’s maritime trade, boost exports, and create a ripple effect across sectors such as logistics, manufacturing, fisheries, and ship repair.
The meeting was attended by NITI Aayog Additional CEO Parthasarathy Reddy, Principal Secretary (Finance and Planning) Piyush Kumar among others.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
