AP CM Unveils North Andhra Development Roadmap, Launches ‘Operation Clean Sweep’
Narasannapeta (Andhra Pradesh), May 16 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the development of North Andhra, stating that the region would soon emerge as a major investment and employment hub witnessing reverse migration.
Participating in the ‘Swarnandhra–Swachhandhra’ programme at Tamrapalli in Narasannapeta constituency of Srikakulam district, the Chief Minister said the government was committed to balanced development of North Andhra, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions.
Addressing a public meeting, Naidu said the government had launched the Swachhandhra initiative with the objective of building a cleaner and healthier Andhra Pradesh.
As part of the programme, the State has intensified road-cleaning drives in both urban and rural areas through the ‘Swachha Patham’ initiative.
The Chief Minister announced the launch of “Operation Clean Sweep,” a month-long statewide sanitation campaign involving officials, public representatives and citizens.
He said the government had already cleared 121 lakh metric tonnes of waste over the last 23 months and aimed to achieve 100 per cent legacy waste clearance by June.
“Swachhandhra is not just a programme—it is a people’s movement,” he said.
Highlighting waste-management initiatives, the Chief Minister said the State was implementing Waste-to-Energy projects, compressed biogas plants, integrated waste-processing facilities, e-waste collection systems and green shops promoting plastic recycling.
He added that Andhra Pradesh aimed to increase green cover from the current 31.33 per cent to 50 per cent by 2047.
Naidu said the State was moving ahead with a long-term vision to make Andhra Pradesh a leading economy by 2047 and noted that the present per capita income of ₹3 lakh would be increased substantially through technology, industrialisation and welfare reforms.
On investments and infrastructure, he said the government had signed investment agreements worth ₹23 lakh crore over the last 23 months, which were expected to generate nearly 24 lakh jobs.
The Chief Minister announced that major companies including Reliance Industries, Tata Consultancy Services, Cognizant, ArcelorMittal and ReNew Power were expanding investments in North Andhra.
He further announced that Bhogapuram International Airport would be inaugurated in July and that new airports would also be developed in Srikakulam district and Palasa.
Naidu said Mulapeta Port would become a major economic advantage for North Andhra and would be operational this year.
On irrigation projects, the Chief Minister said the government had prepared a detailed irrigation calendar for North Andhra projects and announced that the long-pending Neredi Barrage had received Central clearances, with foundation works scheduled to begin in November.
“The Neredi project, a long-standing aspiration of the people of this region, will be completed within the next three years,” he said.
The Chief Minister also urged citizens to support national economic resilience by promoting “Made in Andhra” and “Made in India” products, reducing unnecessary imports, encouraging natural farming and preferring public transport wherever possible.
As part of austerity measures during the district visit, Naidu travelled with a convoy comprising only four vehicles.
Later, he reviewed development stalls at the venue and interacted with local artisans, officials and public representatives.
State Ministers Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, Kondapalli Srinivas and Union Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu were present on the occasion.
TNT KM
