‘Exciting, historic visit’: Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh ahead of PM Modi’s visit

VIAJAYAWADA: Hours before the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Andhra Pradesh, state minister Nara Lokesh on Tuesday called his visit “exciting” and “historic.”

Lokesh highlighted that an investment of approximately Rs 2.5 lakh crore is about to happen in Andhra Pradesh which shows the commitment of the central government towards the state. “

This is a very exciting visit. This is a historic visit of the Prime Minister. If you see, an investment of about Rs 2.5 lakh crore is going to happen. This shows the commitment of the central government towards the state and the people have given a very great mandate to the NDA…” Nara Lokesh told reporters.

Andhra Pradesh minister further stated that the state government is also organising a ‘Polyfest’ where all the young innovators can showcase their brilliant ideas and win cash prizes.

Nara Lokesh said, “We are organising Polyfest. This is where all the young innovators can come and showcase their brilliant ideas for their faculty and also for the state. We give them cash prizes… As PM Narendra Modi always says, we should not only create job seekers but also job givers and the state government will work with this agenda.” PM Modi will visit Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on January 8 and 9. He will lay the foundation stone of projects worth over Rs 2 lakh crore in Andhra Pradesh.

In Andhra Pradesh, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the state-of-the-art NTPC Green Energy Limited Green Hydrogen Hub Project at Pudimadaka near Visakhapatnam, which is the first Green Hydrogen Hub under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

#WATCH | Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh says, “We are organising Polyfest. This is where all the young innovators can come and showcase their brilliant ideas for their faculty and also for the state. We give them cash prizes… As PM Narendra Modi always says, we… pic.twitter.com/vo5k7CKWBe

— ANI (@ANI) January 7, 2025

As per the release, the project entails an investment of approx. Rs 1,85,000 Crore. This will include investment in 20 GW renewable energy capacities, making it one of India’s largest integrated green hydrogen production facilities with a capacity of producing 1500 TPD Green Hydrogen and 7500 TPD Green Hydrogen derivatives including Green Methanol, Green Urea and Sustainable Aviation Fuel, primarily targeting the export market. The project will contribute substantially to achieving India’s non-fossil energy capacity target of 500 GW by 2030.

Prime Minister Modi will also dedicate to the nation, lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various railway and road projects worth over Rs 19,500 crore in Andhra Pradesh which includes the foundation stone laying of South Coast Railway Headquarters at Visakhapatnam among various other projects. These projects will reduce congestion, improve connectivity and enhance regional social and economic growth.

Furthermore, with his vision of accessible and affordable healthcare, the Prime Minister will also lay the foundation for the Bulk Drug Park at Nakkapalli in the Anakapalli district.

As per the release, the Bulk Drug Park will create thousands of jobs while helping accelerate economic growth due to its proximity to the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and Visakhapatnam-Kakinada Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region.

Prime Minister will also lay the Foundation Stone of Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City) under Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor, in Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh.

The Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (KRIS City), a flagship project under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, is envisioned as a greenfield industrial smart city. The project is set to attract significant manufacturing investments of approximately Rs 10,500 crore and is also projected to create around one lakh direct and indirect jobs, significantly enhancing livelihoods and driving regional progress. (ANI)