CM Seeks Central Support For Purvodaya
Plea for SASCI and ₹41,000-crore Rayalaseema horticulture push: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and sought substantial central assistance for a slew of strategic initiatives.
These included the Purvodaya programme, the SASCI scheme works, a transformative ₹41,000-crore horticulture development package for Rayalaseema, and funding for the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project to drought-proof large parts of Andhra Pradesh.
During the meeting, Naidu stressed that the Purvodaya initiative was vital to realising the Viksit Bharat vision. It, he said, focuses on the holistic development of eastern and coastal states while promoting the nation’s overall economic growth.
He explained that Purvodaya funds were crucial to improving rural connectivity, modernising irrigation systems, developing infrastructure, expanding industrial corridors, establishing food-processing clusters, and strengthening healthcare and education facilities across Andhra Pradesh.
Emphasizing that these interventions would significantly enhance livelihood opportunities in rural areas, the chief minister urged the Centre to prioritise state-specific requirements and simplify administrative norms to ensure timely and effective implementation of Purvodaya projects.
Raising the issue of financial stress faced by the state, Naidu sought xpeditious release of funds under the SASCI scheme for several major projects. These include the construction of the Unity Mall in Visakhapatnam, reconstruction of the historic Havelock Bridge under the Akhanda Godavari initiative, development of the Gandikota tourism project and completion of three working women’s hostels in different districts.
He pleaded for an allocation of ₹10,054 crore under SASCI for the 2025–26 financial year, stating that central support was critical for roads, MSME parks, irrigation works, housing and healthcare infrastructure.
The Chief Minister also submitted a memorandum seeking a dedicated horticulture development package for Rayalaseema. He informed Nirmala Sitharaman that Rayalaseema and Prakasam districts together cultivated 18 globally demanded horticulture crops. Some 93 horticulture clusters across eight districts supported nearly 33.7 lakh farmers directly and indirectly, he said.
The state, he said, plans to expand horticulture area from 8.48 lakh hectares to 12.28 lakh hectares by 2029.
To boost exports, Naidu underscored the need for strengthening water resources and creating world-class logistics infrastructure, including roads, rail connectivity, ports and air-cargo facilities.
He said the proposed Rayalaseema horticulture hub would require an investment of ₹41,000 crore over the next three years and could raise farmers’ annual incomes from ₹2 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh.
Naidu urged the Centre to announce the package in the Union Budget 2026–27.
Seeking central backing for the Polavaram–Nallamala Sagar link project, the CM said it would divert 200 tmc of Godavari floodwaters to drought-prone regions, ensuring irrigation and drinking water for Prakasam, Rayalaseema and Nellore districts.
Naidu noted that a preliminary project report had been submitted to the Jal Shakti ministry and urged Sitharam to provide budgetary support to it in 2026–27, similar to the assistance extended to AP earlier for the Amaravati capital works.
