AP CM Pushes For Refinery, Metro Rail And Shipbuilding Projects In Delhi Meetings

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday stepped up the efforts in Delhi to secure major central approvals and support for the state’s transformative infrastructure and industrial projects.

Naidu held a series of discussions with central ministers in the national capital.

The CM met petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri, and invited him to lay the foundation for the proposed BPCL Greenfield Refinery in Nellore district. Terming it a landmark investment, he said the Rs 96,862-crore project would be one of the largest integrated energy hubs and a significant addition to the nation’s refining capacity and energy security.

Naidu informed the Union minister that AP has already allotted 6,000 acres of land for the refinery and extended attractive incentives to ensure its time-bound execution. The public hearing for environmental clearance has been completed and statutory approvals are expected shortly, paving the way for rapid progress, he said.

The refinery, he said, would generate large-scale employment, catalyse industrial growth and give a major boost to AP’s economy.

In another meeting, the CM urged Union urban affairs minister Manohar Lal Khattar to accord early approval to the Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada Metro Rail projects.

He said revised DPRs for both projects have already been submitted; and stressed the need for expeditious clearances to meet the mobility needs of the state’s fastest-growing cities.

Naidu pointed out that rapid urbanisation, expanding economic activity and rising transport demand in both cities necessitate modern, sustainable mass transit systems.

Metro rail connectivity, he said, would ease congestion, improve productivity and support long-term urban and economic growth. He requested the Centre to fast-track approvals so that groundwork could begin without delay.

Earlier in the day, the CM met ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal and sought strong central support for the development of a national-level shipbuilding ecosystem at Dugarajapatnam and for some fishing harbour projects.

Reaffirming the state’s commitment to India’s ‘Chip to Ship’ vision, Naidu said Andhra Pradesh was fully prepared to host the national mega shipbuilding and ship repair cluster.

He informed the minister that 3,488 acres have been earmarked for the project and that the techno-economic feasibility report has been completed. The proposed cluster would include MSME ancillary units and common infrastructure for large-scale shipbuilding and ship repair, while also fulfilling commitments under the AP Reorganisation Act, 2014.

Naidu sought early approval to declare Dugarajapatnam a national mega shipbuilding cluster.

The Chief Minister also requested enhanced central assistance for fishing harbour development. Under Phase-I, four harbours—Juvvaladinne, Nizampatnam, Machilipatnam and Uppada—are being developed at a cost of `1,361.49 crore.

While the state has already spent `782.29 crore, only Juvvaladinne has received central support.

Naidu sought `590.91 crore, including `150 crore under Sagarmala for a new harbour at Odaravu, to complete and expand the projects aimed at improving fishermen’s livelihoods and modernising the fisheries sector.