Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Andhra Pradesh has the potential to emerge as a major growth engine for Viksit Bharat.
Addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, he said the NDA government is accelerating the state's development under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
The Prime Minister recalled seeking a mandate for a double-engine government to fast-track Andhra Pradesh's progress.
He also launched development projects worth nearly Rs 18,000 crore, covering aviation, roads, energy, and semiconductor infrastructure.
He said these initiatives reflect the state's rapid transformation and will strengthen the vision of Swarna Andhra and Viksit Bharat.
Furthermore, PM Modi highlighted the remarkable expansion of India's aviation sector. He said the number of operational airports increased from 74 in 2014 to 166 today.
He added that the UDAN Scheme has made air travel accessible to ordinary citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced that UDAN 2.0 will receive Rs 29,000 crore to further expand regional air connectivity.
Moreover, the Prime Minister said the government follows the mantra of 'Investment for Employment'. It encourages both public and private investment.
He noted that global companies are increasingly choosing Andhra Pradesh for investment.
Google alone has announced a $15 billion AI and cloud infrastructure campus, while semiconductor, artificial intelligence and data centre projects are also advancing across the state.
PM Modi also outlined plans to develop coastal Andhra as a Coastal Economic Corridor.
The government will modernise the ports at Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam while developing new ports at Mulapeta and Ramayapatnam.
Additionally, highway projects, the Visakhapatnam-Raipur Expressway and railway works worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore will strengthen connectivity.
He added that the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan will integrate railways, ports and airports to improve logistics, support farmers and enhance ease of doing business.
The Prime Minister also praised the 'Dhimsa' dance performed by more than 13,000 tribal women. He described the performance as a remarkable display of enthusiasm, discipline and tribal heritage.