Nellorians Bristle Over New Gudur District Proposal
During the rule of YSRC government, Sullurpeta and Gudur constituencies had been merged into the newly formed Tirupati district—a move that many in Nellore say stripped them of their pride and economic muscle.
NELLORE: Nellore district is in the centre of a political storm, with reports of state government wanting to carve out Sarvepalli constituency and merging it with the new Gudur district. The move has stirred deep resentment among Nellorians, who fear erosion of their district’s industrial and strategic assets. The demand of Gudur residents has been clear: either declare Gudur as a separate district or merge it with neighbouring Nellore, a decades-old call for administrative convenience. Nellorians, however, are angry over the proposed inclusion of Sarvepalli constituency in the new Gudur district. This is not the first time that Nellore district’s boundaries have been a flashpoint. During the rule of YSRC government, Sullurpeta and Gudur constituencies had been merged into the newly formed Tirupati district—a move that many in Nellore say stripped them of their pride and economic muscle. Gone from Nellore district’s map are some of its crown jewels, such as India’s spaceport at Sriharikota (ISRO’s SHAR), Pulicat Lake, the country’s second-largest brackish water body, the Kandaleru reservoir, special economic zones (SEZs) and mega industrial parks of Menakuru, Mambattu and Naidupeta. Now, Nellore district will lose even more if the Gudur district plan moves ahead as reportedly planned by the TD-led government. The district is expected to lose Krishnapatnam Port, power projects like Genco and Sembcorp, and parts of the thriving industrial belt. Adding salt to the wound, the Ramayapatnam Port—a recent economic lifeline—may be reassigned to Prakasam district along with Kandukur. “This will leave Nellore without any major industry,” warned senior politician and Sarvepalli MLA Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy, who has been at the forefront of opposing splitting of the Nellore district. Somireddy has long criticised district reorganisation based on parliamentary constituencies, arguing that such boundaries are unstable and subject to change during constituency delimitation—due in 2028. In the past, Somireddy had also questioned the previous government’s claim of proximity as a guiding principle for new districts. “If proximity is truly the criterion, Kandukur should be with Ongole in Prakasam district, not Nellore. And Punganuru must not be linked to Chittoor. These decisions are political, not administrative,” Somireddy charged. For Nellorians, the issue is more than just maps and boundaries—it is about identity, pride and the fear of becoming a district without an industrial backbone.
