Telangana CM Calls for Micro-Level Planning for Visakha Economic Region
Amaravati, Aug. 5 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed officials to prepare micro-level plans for the comprehensive development of the Visakha Economic Region (VER), stressing that every region, sector and tourism destination should be integrated into the growth strategy to ensure balanced development.
Reviewing the VER development plans at his camp office here, the Chief Minister said development should extend from Mulapeta Port in Srikakulam district to the proposed Akhanda Godavari Project in Rajamahendravaram, with investments promoted across all sectors.
Naidu said the proposed Visakhapatnam Bay City Project should serve as the anchor project for the VER and drive large-scale urban development through convergence of funds from various government schemes.
He also called for greater efforts to secure Central assistance and directed that the six Urban Development Authorities in the region be transformed with world-class infrastructure.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the VER has the potential to attract investments worth ₹9.5 lakh crore, including about ₹5.3 lakh crore from the private sector, while government investment of ₹3.5-4 lakh crore would be required.
They said projects such as the Google AI Data Centre and the ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel Plant have strengthened Visakhapatnam and North Andhra as emerging investment destinations.
The officials said the region already possesses a strong ecosystem for information technology, data centres and allied sectors, with the Bay City project designed as the focal point of the overall development plan.
The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that development is aligned with the aspirations of local communities while attracting investments that generate employment.
He stressed the need to upgrade the skills of local youth to meet the requirements of emerging industries.
Naidu also instructed officials to promote industrial ecosystems, integrated townships and tourism projects in accordance with Coastal Management Plans, encourage Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects and examine the feasibility of providing Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support wherever required.
He said the VER project should fully comply with Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) regulations and directed officials to regularly communicate ongoing development activities and employment opportunities to the public.
The Chief Minister also ordered the constitution of a special Executive Committee for implementation of the Bay City project and emphasised the need to focus on Global Capability Centres (GCCs), fintech and logistics integration.
Referring to the growing national focus on East-West Connectivity, Naidu said project planning should strengthen road and rail connectivity, link Kakinada and Visakhapatnam with western India, and integrate the region’s four airports and three ports to accelerate investment and economic growth.
He also directed officials to upgrade the Visakhapatnam Zoological Park into an international-standard tourism destination as part of efforts to develop Visakhapatnam into a global city.
TNT KM
