AP Education and IT Infrastructure Minister Nara Lokesh said that a route map has been prepared to make the state number 1 in the country by 2047, in which Northern Andhra will be made as the biggest pharma hub.
Attending the AP Infrastructure Summit-2024 organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, he said that all the investors who had left the state between 2019-2024 are now returning to the state. He announced that very soon IT and industrial policy will be made and 20 lakh jobs will be created.
He said that his government has always given priority to Visakhapatnam and expressed hope that more investments will come to this Port City. Stating that they believe in decentralization of development, he said that an Economic Development Board (EDB) will be set up in the state to review the progress of the departments and it will be run under the supervision of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
Referring to various targets before their government for the next five years, Lokesh said that a green energy sector will be developed in Godavari districts and also the largest petrochemical corridor in the country is coming up in the Godavari region. With the aim of achieving 72 gigawatts of electricity generation, he said hydro, wind and solar projects will be set up across the state.
State R&B, Infrastructure and Investment Minister Janardhan Reddy, CII AP Department Chairman V. Muralikrishna, GMR Airports Business Chairman GBS Raju participated as guests in the summit. Lokesh met the investors after the open session.
Referring over speculations on the privatization of Vizag Steel Plant, Lokesh said that in fact there is no real discussion on privatization of the plant. He alleged that the Steel Plant was neglected during the YSP regime. Moreover, he alleged that now they are spreading evil propaganda.
“Where else is the privatization of steel, the state president of our party, Palla Srinivasa Rao, has announced that the plant will not be privatised. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu spoke to central leaders. Where is the actual discussion on the privatization of steel?”, he asked.
Lokesh recalled that the center has also given a grant of Rs.500 crores to the plant, whereas during Jagan’s regime, even a single rupee came to the steel plant?, he asked. He said that steps are being taken to set up the Adani data center in Visakhapatnam.
