Transform Vizag Economic Zone Into Global Hub: CM Naidu Tells Officials
“The entire state will be developed through three major economic regions": Visakhapatnam, Amaravati, and Tirupati”: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu
VISAKHAPATNAM: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu has directed the officials to implement an intensive action plan to transform the Visakhapatnam Economic Region (VER) into a global economic hub.
Naidu on Friday highlighted the need for rapid, dispute-free land acquisition and integrated development across various sectors, including industries, IT, tourism, green energy and urban infrastructure.
During his first high-level review meeting held in Visakhapatnam, Naidu stated, “The entire state will be developed through three major economic regions: Visakhapatnam, Amaravati, and Tirupati.”
The meeting was attended by ministers, senior officials, district collectors and public representatives.
The CM reviewed 49 projects related to roads, railways, ports, logistics and urban development. He said VER, currently at a GDP of $52 billion, must grow to $125–135 billion by 2032, supported by seven growth drivers and ten policy pillars. If the master plan is executed effectively, VER could reach an economy of $750–800 billion by 2047, generating 3 million jobs.
Naidu wanted the officials to outline immediate tasks for the next three months and prepare plans for an international-standard convention centre in Visakhapatnam.
He highlighted the need to leverage the region’s diverse strengths, including its role as a Steel City, an Industrial City, a Pharma City, and a tourism corridor.
Additionally, the CM announced the upcoming launch of MedTech Zone-2 in Anakapalli and the extension of incentives to industries establishing units in the Toys Park. He also stressed the importance of attracting defence manufacturing companies and improving connectivity to agency areas through road expansion.
Naidu called for separate action plans for various departments, including industries, municipal administration, tourism, irrigation, roads and buildings, IT, agriculture, forestry, health, education, skill development and power.
Special plans, he said, should be developed for the ongoing and upcoming railway and national highway projects.
Private industrial parks would be allowed if farmers collectively offered land, he said and noted that industrial growth would help curb job-related migration from north Andhra.
Focusing on agricultural diversification, Naidu proposed promoting oil palm cultivation along with cocoa, bananas and pepper. Collectors would map crop suitability across districts and develop plans for cultivating spices, strawberries and other high-value crops in agency areas.
The Chief Minister also suggested that large-scale poultry farms could boost rural incomes. Naidu directed officials to fill ponds and reservoirs and submit a report on the expansion of aquaculture at the next review.
VER comprises nine districts -- Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, ASR, Parvathipuram, Anakapalli, Kakinada, East Godavari, and Ambedkar Konaseema, covering 38,000 sq-km and contributing 30 per cent of AP’s GDP.
The master plan includes six ports, seven new railway projects, nine major road projects, 77 kilometres of Vizag Metro Rail, 12 manufacturing centres, 18 agricultural zones, food and aqua parks, and five fishing harbours.
A 40-sq-km coastal stretch from Kailasagiri to Bheemili would be developed as the state's core tourism hub, featuring five beachfronts, a world-class theme park and water-sports zones under the Kailasagiri Master Plan.
Attendees of the review meeting included ministers Nara Lokesh, K. Atchannaidu, P. Narayana, T.G. Bharat, Kandula Durgesh, Kondapalli Srinivas, Dola Sribala Veeranjaneya Swamy and Kollu Ravindra, along with Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand and senior officials.
