The itinerary includes prayers at the ancient Srisailam temple and the foundation-laying for India’s first ‘Drone City’ at Orvakal near Kurnool, a project expected to make the state a national hub for drone technology.
Published Oct 14, 2025 | 8:35 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 14, 2025 | 8:35 PM
Political observers also see Modi’s visit as a morale booster for TDP cadres and a signal of unity and purpose within the NDA.
Synopsis: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region on 16 October, offering prayers at the Srisailam temple and laying the foundation for India’s first 300-acre ‘Drone City’ at Orvakal near Kurnool. The visit will be a visible demonstration of cooperation between the alliance partners, the TDP and the BJP, and is also expected to provide Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu with an opportunity to seek central support for a ₹1,657 crore development plan for Srisailam.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region on October 16 for a one-day tour that blends faith with development initiatives.
The itinerary includes prayers at the ancient Srisailam temple and the foundation-laying for India’s first ‘Drone City’ at Orvakal near Kurnool, a project expected to make the state a national hub for drone technology.
Modi’s visit also has political significance, marking a visible show of renewed synergy between the NDA partners—the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)—and reinforcing their joint push for central support to Andhra Pradesh.
The tour will begin at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Devasthanam in Srisailam, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines in the Nallamala forests. The Prime Minister is scheduled to offer prayers and have darshan before taking part in a roadshow expected to draw large crowds.
Taking advantage of the Prime Minister’s visit, Naidu is likely to propose elevating the Srisailam shrine to the status of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD)—the world’s richest religious trust—to enable large-scale development.
A comprehensive master plan worth ₹1,657 crore for Srisailam is already on the table. It includes a temple corridor modelled on the Kashi Vishwanath and Ujjain Mahakaleshwar corridors, better parking and accommodation, improved connectivity, and a five-star hotel to serve the temple’s 25,000 daily visitors, a number that rises to over a lakh during major festivals.
To support these plans, Naidu has asked officials to seek central assistance for 5,362 acres of Nallamala forest land currently under central control. The land is crucial for expanding facilities without affecting the nearby tiger sanctuary.
Inspired by Kerala’s Sabarimala model, the plan focuses on eco-sensitive development, including a new national highway link, a 2.5 km bridge between Sunnipenta and Srisailam, and sustainable tourism infrastructure.
A committee of three ministers, led by Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, has finalised the blueprint. Naidu is expected to present the proposal to Modi—either during the temple visit or in a subsequent meeting—to secure funding and approvals.
The project revives Naidu’s 2016 vision of developing Srisailam and Sunnipenta as twin towns like Tirumala and Tirupati, featuring ring roads, Ayurvedic wellness centres, and environmentally sustainable relocation for about 3,250 local families.
In recent reviews, including a high-level meeting on October 5, Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan emphasised using the Sabarimala model to balance pilgrimage, ecology, and economic growth.
If implemented successfully, the project could boost tourism, which has industry status in the state, and generate thousands of jobs, revitalising Rayalaseema while preserving its spiritual legacy.
The day’s highlight will be a public meeting at Nannuru village in Orvakal mandal, where Modi will lay the foundation stone for the 300-acre ‘Drone City’ project.
The hub, planned for innovation, manufacturing, and research in drone technology, is expected to attract both public and private investment. Around three lakh people are expected to attend.
Andhra Pradesh has already set aside ₹500 crore for its drone policy (2024–29), with firms such as Chennai-based Garuda Aerospace committing over ₹100 crore.
The initiative aligns with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s vision of making the state the “Drone Capital of India,” bringing advanced technology and employment opportunities to Rayalaseema’s largely agrarian economy.
Political observers also see Modi’s visit as a morale booster for TDP cadres and a signal of unity and purpose within the NDA as Andhra Pradesh prepares for the next electoral cycle.
It further strengthens the TDP’s presence in Rayalaseema, a traditional bastion often seen as neglected in past regimes.
By focusing on forward-looing projects like ‘Drone City’, Naidu aims to counter attacks from the opposition Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party, which has been cornering the government over issues such as the spurious liquor scandal.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
