Chandrababu’s Vision, Lokesh’s Efforts Emerge as Beacon of Hope for Andhra Pradesh:* _*-Palla Srinivasa Rao*_

.               by Sharma K.V. Editor
Amaravati, September 26*—Andhra Pradesh’s future hinges on the pillars of logistics, industry, and employment generation, observed State TDP president and Gajuwaka MLA, Palla Srinivasa Rao, during a spirited intervention in the Assembly on Thursday.

“With its 1,053-km-long coastline, the State has been endowed with a rare natural advantage. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is taking historic decisions to transform the eastern seaboard into a hub for commerce, exports, and multimodal transport. Minister for IT and Education, Nara Lokesh, is working tirelessly to attract investments that will create opportunities for our youth,” Mr. Rao remarked.

*Push for Logistics Infrastructure*

The coalition government, he said, has embarked on an ambitious programme to elevate Andhra Pradesh into a logistics-driven economy. Plans are afoot to establish either a port or a fishing harbour every 50 km along the coast, while a dedicated State Logistics Corporation has been set up to integrate rail, road, air, and water transport.

A landmark agreement with APM Terminals, valued at $1 billion (₹8,300 crore), will usher in modern facilities and eco-friendly equipment, while generating nearly 10,000 jobs. Projects such as the revival of the Buckingham Canal and roll-on/roll-off ferry services are under way, alongside the imminent establishment of air-cargo hubs at Visakhapatnam, Gannavaram, and Tirupati, he informed.

*Industrial Growth Backed by Lokesh*

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu continues to personally review proposals through frequent State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) meetings, while Mr. Lokesh is spearheading efforts to woo global and domestic investors. Their combined endeavour, Mr. Rao said, has already borne fruit.

“Cognizant has invested ₹1,582 crore creating 8,000 jobs, while Raymond has committed ₹1,202 crore generating over 6,500 jobs. Reliance Food Park, with an investment of ₹768 crore in Kurnool, is adding value to local agriculture. Accenture’s upcoming campus is set to provide employment to 12,000 professionals. Policy innovations in IT and electronics have resulted in the creation of lakhs of direct and indirect jobs,” he pointed out.

*‘Steel Plant Surrounded by Falsehoods’*

Turning to the contentious issue of the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Mr. Rao accused the Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy camp of deliberately peddling misinformation.

“The claim that the plant cannot function without captive mines is patently false. Mines with an iron content of less than 40 per cent are unsuitable for production. To break even, the plant requires 60 per cent utilisation, equivalent to 15,000 metric tonnes of daily output. With the third blast furnace now operational, production has begun to scale up,” he explained.

Of the ₹11,500-crore package announced by the Centre, ₹9,500 crore has already been deposited into RINL’s account, he said, adding that workers, with renewed determination, are striving to restore the plant to its past glory.

“Yet, those who once siphoned off crores under the guise of employing contract workers are now spreading doubts among employees and misleading the public,” Mr. Rao charged.

*‘Jagan’s Misrule Cast State into Darkness’*

Criticising the previous regime, the TDP president said: “Jagan Mohan Reddy’s misrule left Andhra Pradesh bereft of jobs, investments, and development. By mortgaging the State to debt for personal gain, he pushed the future of an entire generation into darkness. Logistics were paralysed, industries destroyed, and opportunities for the youth choked off.”

Reiterating the coalition government’s commitment, Mr. Rao declared: “Our goal is clear — a job for every youth, and security for every family. By 2047, Andhra Pradesh will emerge as Swarnandhra — a golden State, a model in logistics, a magnet for industrial investment, and a land of opportunity for the younger generation