Amaravati, Mar 12 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed district collectors to focus on investment proposals and continuously take measures to attract industries across districts.
Reviewing investment proposals during the second day of the sixth District Collectors’ Conference here, the chief minister stressed the need for proactive efforts by collectors to bring investments into the state.
“Steps must be taken to ensure investments coming into the state are grounded quickly. If investments come, employment opportunities for local youth will increase,” Naidu said.
He noted that increased investments will increase the per capita income of people across the state.
Naidu said the government is developing Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Tirupati as Economic Region Development areas to accelerate industrial and economic growth.
According to the CM, Industries Secretary N Yuvaraj will oversee the Visakhapatnam region, Municipal Administration Special Principal Secretary Suresh will supervise Amaravati and Principal Secretary (Excise) Mukesh Kumar Meena will handle Tirupati.
He said the officials will take responsibility for industries, investments and economic development in their respective regions while coordinating closely with district collectors.
Naidu instructed collectors to regularly review investment proposals and ensure projects are grounded quickly by expediting approvals and completing land allocations.
He emphasised that industries can begin production quickly only when water supply and basic infrastructure are ensured.
Highlighting infrastructure development, Naidu said an industrial cluster has been designed at Orvakal where facilities, including an airport have already been established.
He added that Kopparthi village in Kadapa district should also be developed as a major industrial cluster in the coming years.
The chief minister instructed collectors to hold district-level meetings on investments and take initiative in attracting industries based on local opportunities.
He also announced that district-wise rankings will be introduced based on speed of doing business to create competition among collectors.
Naidu alleged that during the previous YSRCP government between 2019 and 2024, investors were reluctant to come to the state due to the policies.
He claimed that an automotive battery company had set up its corporate office in Tirupati but was forced to move out under the previous (YSRCP) administration.
According to Naidu, lands allotted to industries during the earlier TDP government between 2014 and 2019 were allegedly used for other purposes by the previous government.
Naidu said a Hyderabad-like ecosystem is now being planned across Andhra Pradesh to promote balanced development in all districts.
He observed that if industries cannot be established in some districts, sectors such as tourism, IT, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) or agriculture should be promoted.
The CM said that development strategies should be designed based on the strengths and advantages of each district to attract investments.
The TDP supremo also directed collectors and ministers not to focus only on their own areas but to work for the overall development of the state.
Naidu further reviewed various departments, stressing people-friendly governance and development coordination.
“The Forest Department should cooperate in development and infrastructure. The police became people-friendly, but the Forest Department has not. It must change,” Naidu said.
He said complaints increased about forest officials ignoring collectors’ advice, urging cooperation with environment-friendly projects and proper identification of reserve lands during surveys.
He criticised impractical thinking among some forest officials, questioning how infrastructure could be denied in tribal areas.
He emphasised improving green cover and biodiversity while ensuring people can travel freely and enjoy nature in forest regions.
The CM said forest officials must remember they function under district collectors and should cooperate with development initiatives according to rules.
Naidu called for special focus on infrastructure projects including ports, airports and railways to accelerate economic development across the state.
He revealed that the government is considering to establish an “Electronics City” near Hindupur to promote technology and manufacturing investments.
The chief minister stressed encouraging innovation through the Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) and supporting startup companies and young innovators.
He said RTIH should become more active, with senior officials guiding young officers appointed to promote innovative ideas.
Naidu emphasised expanding the services sector to strengthen knowledge economy and increase employment opportunities across districts.
He directed collectors to review how investments, employment and per capita income have increased in their districts.
From the next conference, he said the government will review how effectively each district collector promotes industries and investment.
Naidu said tourism should be promoted through projects at Pulicat Lake, Suryalanka and Gandikota with reputed companies and participation of local communities.
He stressed developing wayside amenities, EV charging stations and night-halt rooms along national highways to attract investments.
Collectors should be authorised to allocate land up to five acres through Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), he said.
Naidu also suggested developing Disneyland and Bhavani Island in Vijayawada as major tourism destinations.
Reviewing tourism investments, the CM said Andhra Pradesh has vast opportunities in hospitality, historical sites and pilgrimage tourism.
He called for creating about 50,000 hotel rooms across the state and promoting homestays, convention centres and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) tourism.
He added that Amaravati will be developed as a “Creative City” encouraging content creators, AI innovation and film industries to strengthen the creative economy. PTI MS STH KH
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