Chandrababu Naidu is thankful to Modi considering the ease in instating the financial-aid

Chandrababu Naidu’s TDP blames the previous Jagan Reddy-led YSR government for Andhra Pradesh’s economic woes and is seeking substantial financial assistance from the Centre

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to submit a detailed list of requests for the upcoming Union Budget. Naidu pushed for short-term funds and additional capex support to address the state’s economic challenges and advance major infrastructure projects. With 16 MPs, TDP is the second-largest constituent of the NDA government, positioning Naidu strategically to advocate for a sizeable financial package. One primary proposal is a request for Rs 15,000 crore to develop Amaravati as the state capital. Naidu’s ambitious vision for Amaravati has been hindered by financial constraints and political changes, requiring essential infrastructure like the Raj Bhavan, High Court, Secretariat, Legislative Assembly, and Council. Estimates suggest constructing Amaravati will cost around Rs 1 lakh crore, with over Rs 50,000 crore needed for essential infrastructure in the next five years. Another key priority is the Polavaram irrigation project, for which the state needs Rs 12,100 crore to complete the first phase. This project aims to meet Andhra Pradesh’s drinking water, irrigation, and power needs but has faced delays and cost escalations.

Naidu criticized the previous YSRCP government for mismanaging the project, claiming that only 3.84% progressed during Jagan’s tenure compared to 72% under the previous TDP rule. He also accused Jagan of misusing Rs 3,385 crore allocated for the project. Additionally, the Andhra Pradesh government seeks support for metro projects in Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Amravati, as well as a light rail project in Amravati. There are also requests for a Vande Bharat train from Vijayawada to Mumbai and New Delhi and long-distance trains from Visakhapatnam to Chennai and Bengaluru. The state is advocating for the operationalization of the South Coast Railway zone in Visakhapatnam and grants to develop backward districts, including Rayalaseema and Prakasam, under a Rs 24,350 crore development program. During pre-Budget consultations with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister Payyavula Keshav emphasized the need for central support. Key requests include central government support for post-bifurcation economic development, centrally-sponsored schemes in a 90:10 ratio, higher borrowing limits, and external loans. The state also seeks assistance for constructing the Ramayapatnam Port, an Integrated Steel Plant in Kadapa, a Crude Oil Refinery, a petroleum corridor, and various other projects. Keshav highlighted the development of industrial parks, including nodes in the Visakhapatnam-Chennai and Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridors, and central assistance for a mega textile park, an integrated aqua park, and a green energy corridor.