Calling Andhra Pradesh “a centre of self-respect and innovation,” Modi said the state had found the right direction and leadership under Naidu and Kalyan.
Published Oct 16, 2025 | 6:40 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 16, 2025 | 6:40 PM
Modi praised the leadership of Naidu and Kalyan.
Synopsis: Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stones for development projects worth ₹13,429 crore in Kurnool on 16 October, during his one-day visit to Andhra Pradesh. Addressing a large gathering at a public meeting, he said the state had made rapid progress under NDA rule in power supply, infrastructure, and technology. Modi praised the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and pledged continued support from the Centre to the state.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, 16 October, laid the foundation stones for development projects worth ₹13,429 crore in Kurnool, spanning industrial, infrastructure, and energy sectors, during his one-day visit to Andhra Pradesh.
The visit began at Kurnool Airport at 9:50 a.m., followed by a helicopter journey to Srisailam around 10:35 a.m. Modi offered prayers at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple between 11:15 a.m. and 11:50 a.m., accompanied by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. The group later visited the Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra to pay homage to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
By early afternoon, Modi arrived at the Kurnool public meeting venue, where a large crowd, transported to the venue in around 7,000 buses, had gathered under tight security.
Addressing the gathering amid chants of “Viksit Bharat”, the Prime Minister described Andhra Pradesh as an emerging hub of science, innovation, and culture.
He praised the leadership of Naidu and Kalyan and assured the Centre’s full support to accelerate the state’s development across sectors.
Calling Andhra Pradesh “a centre of self-respect and innovation,” Modi said the state had found the right direction and leadership under Naidu and Kalyan.
“Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a leading science and innovation centre. It is also a centre of self-respect and rich culture. The Centre stands shoulder to shoulder with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan,” he said.
Modi contrasted the Telugu Desam Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government’s record with that of the Congress era and said the state has undergone an “energy revolution” in the last decade.
“Eleven years ago, when Congress was in power, villages suffered blackouts. There were no poles, no electricity. Per capita power consumption was less than 1,000 units. Today, every village has power, and per capita consumption has crossed 1,400 units,” he said.
The Prime Minister cited the natural gas pipeline from Srikakulam, initiated under Naidu’s leadership, and the newly inaugurated IOCL LPG bottling plant in Chittoor—capable of filling 20,000 cylinders—as milestones that would enhance storage, logistics, and employment in the region.
He also outlined the government’s multi-modal infrastructure strategy, connecting villages, cities, ports, and industrial corridors. He said this vision aligned with Andhra Pradesh’s “Swarna Andhra@2047” roadmap, highlighting the synergy under the “double-engine sarkar.”
“The world is watching the speed and scale of Bharat’s transformation, and Andhra Pradesh is at its forefront,” he said.
Citing Google’s recent announcement to invest $15 billion to establish an AI data hub in Andhra Pradesh, Modi announced that India’s first AI data centre would come up in Visakhapatnam, featuring advanced AI infrastructure, high-capacity fibre optics, and a global sub-sea cable gateway.
“This project will position Andhra Pradesh as a digital gateway to the world,” he said, commending Naidu’s forward-looking vision.
Modi also highlighted local manufacturing and defence-linked initiatives such as the Nimmaluru night-vision factory, which produces sensors for missiles and drone surveillance systems.
He referred to May’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ as a showcase of India’s drone capabilities and announced that Kurnool would be developed as a major drone hub, spurring related industries.
The Prime Minister linked Andhra Pradesh’s progress to the national development vision, asserting that both Delhi and Amaravati were working together to realise the goal of a fully developed India by 2047.
“By the 100th year of Independence, Bharat will be Vikasit Bharat. The 21st century belongs to our 141 crore people,” Modi said.
He credited the NDA government for delivering tangible benefits to citizens and businesses through reforms such as Super GST, which he said had led to ₹8,000 crore in additional savings for Andhra Pradesh.
He listed several measures—raising the income tax exemption limit to ₹12 lakh, reducing medicine prices through Ayushman Bharat, and strengthening MSME support—as part of a people-first governance approach.
“Andhra Pradesh’s growth is vital for Bharat’s progress. Industrial corridors like Orvakal–Kopparthi will create new jobs and prosperity in Rayalaseema,” he said, appealing for greater private-sector participation in local manufacturing.
“The double-engine sarkar will help Andhra Pradesh grow further. We will expand its capacity in technology, energy, and industry to ensure all-sector development,” he continued.
Chief Minister Naidu felicitated Modi with a memento, thanking him for the projects and the Centre’s continued partnership.
“These initiatives are in line with our Swarna Andhra vision to make the state a $2.5 trillion economy,” Naidu said.
IT Minister Nara Lokesh hailed the GST reforms as a “Super GST, Super Savings” measure, noting the ₹8,000 crore benefit to local enterprises. He urged entrepreneurs to capitalise on the state’s manufacturing incentives.
Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed gratitude for Modi’s visit and lauded the focus on energy and employment generation in Rayalaseema.
“These projects mark a new chapter of synergy between the Centre and the State,” he said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
