Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the inauguration and foundation stone laying ceremony of various development works in Kurnool. (Picture credit: PTI)
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday inaugurated and laid the foundation for several development projects worth Rs 13,430 crore across Andhra Pradesh, declaring that the state has entered a new phase of accelerated progress under Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.Speaking at a rally in Kurnool, PM Modi described Andhra Pradesh as a “land of self-respect, culture, and innovation” and said the state was emerging as a major hub for science and technology. “Now Andhra has visionary leadership in CM Naidu and deputy CM Pawan Kalyan,” he said, adding that in the last 16 months, “the vehicle of development has moved very fast in Andhra Pradesh.”PM Modi said Andhra Pradesh was becoming a key pillar in the journey of a self-reliant India. “Andhra Pradesh is becoming a major hub for the success of self-reliant India. Congress governments have harmed the entire country by neglecting the capabilities of Andhra Pradesh. The state, which could have led the entire country forward, has found itself struggling for its own development. I am pleased that the image of Andhra Pradesh has changed under the NDA government,” he said.Recalling India’s strides in power and energy, the Prime Minister noted, “Eleven years ago, when Congress was in power, the average per capita electricity consumption was less than 1,000 units. Today, it has increased to 1,400 units, and Andhra Pradesh is playing a key role in this energy revolution.”PM Modi announced the inauguration of the Advanced Night Vision Factory in Nimmaluru, describing it as a major step towards defence self-reliance. “This factory will enhance India’s ability to manufacture night vision devices, missile sensors, and drone guard systems. The equipment manufactured here will also elevate India’s defence exports, and we have already witnessed the power of Indian-made products in Operation Sindoor,” the Prime Minister said. Highlighting the technological potential of the state, he added, “I am delighted that the Andhra Pradesh government has resolved to make Kurnool India’s drone hub. The drone industry will foster the development of many new sectors related to futuristic technology in Kurnool and Andhra. I just mentioned the brilliance of drones in Operation Sindoor, which has astonished the world. In the future, Kurnool is poised to become a national power in the drone sector.” PM Modi also said that Google will establish India’s first Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub in Andhra Pradesh, with Visakhapatnam set to emerge as a global connectivity and data centre hub. “This new AI hub includes powerful AI infrastructure, data centre capacity, large-scale energy sources, and expanded fibre-optic networks,” he said, praising Naidu’s forward-looking approach.Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, seated alongside PM Modi, expressed confidence in the NDA’s continued success nationwide. “We pray to Lord Srisailam Brahmaramba Swami to give Prime Minister Modi immense strength so he can continue developing the nation and lead us towards a Viksit Bharat. We are confident that the NDA will secure a big victory in Bihar, and PM Modi’s development journey will continue,” Naidu said.Expressing confidence in India’s future, PM Modi said, “By 2047, when India completes 100 years of independence, we will surely achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat. I can say confidently that the 21st century is going to be India’s—the century of 140 crore Indians.” The projects inaugurated by the Prime Minister span multiple sectors, including industry, power transmission, defence manufacturing, and petroleum and natural gas, with investments of over Rs 21,000 crore expected to generate nearly one lakh jobs.Earlier in the day, PM Modi and CM Naidu performed pooja at Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam in Srisailam, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. The Prime Minister said he felt “blessed to receive the divine energy of Srisailam” before dedicating the new projects to the people of Andhra Pradesh. Go to Source
