Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a one-day visit to Andhra Pradesh on Thursday, October 16, where he is scheduled to lay the foundation stone for and inaugurate multiple infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹13,430 crore, alongside addressing a public meeting in Kurnool. The itinerary, announced by the Prime Minister's Office, blends spiritual engagements with developmental initiatives, underscoring the central government's focus on bolstering the state's economy through investments in renewable energy, industrial corridors, transportation, and defence manufacturing. This visit marks Modi's first to the state since the TDP-led NDA government's return to power in June 2024, signalling renewed momentum for Andhra Pradesh's post-bifurcation growth under the "Viksit Bharat" vision.
PM Modi's tour will commence in Srisailam, a revered pilgrimage site in the Nallamala Hills, with a darshan and pooja at the Sri Bhramaramba Mallikarjuna Swamy Varla Devasthanam—one of India's 12 Jyotirlingas and 52 Shakti Peeths. The temple's unique distinction lies in housing both a Jyotirlinga and Shakti Peeth within the same complex, drawing devotees from across the country for its spiritual significance.
Following this, the Prime Minister will visit the Sree Shivaji Spoorthi Kendra, a memorial dedicated to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's historic 1677 pilgrimage to the shrine. Managed by the Sree Shivaji Memorial Committee, the centre features a meditation hall with models of four Maratha forts—Pratapgad, Rajgad, Raigad, and Shivneri—encircling a central statue of the warrior-king in contemplation. These stops highlight the cultural and historical ties between Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, reinforcing national unity through shared heritage.
The centrepiece of the visit will unfold in Kurnool, where Modi will unveil projects spanning diverse sectors to drive industrialisation and connectivity in the Rayalaseema region. Key among them is the foundation stone for the Transmission System Strengthening at Kurnool-III Pooling Station, a ₹2,880 crore initiative that includes a 765 kV double-circuit transmission line to Chilakaluripeta. This will boost transformation capacity by 6,000 MVA, facilitating the evacuation of renewable energy from solar-rich areas and aligning with India's 500 GW non-fossil fuel target by 2030.
Industrial development takes centre stage with the Orvakal and Kopparthy Industrial Areas in Kurnool and Kadapa districts, respectively, at a combined cost exceeding ₹4,920 crore. Developed in partnership with the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust and the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, these plug-and-play hubs with walk-to-work facilities are projected to attract ₹21,000 crore in investments and create one lakh jobs, enhancing the state's global manufacturing footprint.
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Further enhancing mobility and energy security, Modi will inaugurate a six-lane greenfield highway from Sabbavaram to Sheelanagar (₹960 crore) to decongest Visakhapatnam and bolster trade, alongside six additional road upgrades worth ₹1,140 crore for safer, faster regional links. Railway enhancements totalling over ₹1,200 crore include the Kottavalasa-Vizianagaram fourth line, a rail flyover between Pendurti and Simhachalam North, and the doubling of the Kottavalasa-Boddavara and Shimiliguda-Gorapur sections, reducing travel times in coastal Andhra.
In the energy domain, the 422 km Srikakulam-Angul natural gas pipeline by GAIL (₹1,730 crore) will span 124 km in Andhra Pradesh, promoting cleaner fuel adoption, while Indian Oil's 60 TMTPA LPG bottling plant in Chittoor (₹200 crore) will serve 7.2 lakh customers across Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Capping the announcements, the Advanced Night Vision Products Factory by Bharat Electronics Limited in Krishna district (₹360 crore) will produce electro-optical systems for the armed forces, advancing "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" in defence and generating skilled employment.
These projects, collectively, aim to foster inclusive growth, addressing Andhra Pradesh's infrastructure deficits since its 2014 bifurcation from Telangana.
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