Naidu meets FM, seeks support for mega projects

Amaravati: A day ahead of the commencement of the Budget session of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu paid a courtesy call on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, accompanied by senior party leaders, and sought the Centre’s support for the launch and expansion of several key schemes in the State.

During a brief interaction at Parliament House, Naidu discussed pending projects and requested sanction of funds for mega initiatives such as the Polavaram irrigation project and Metro Rail systems for Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. He also sought special Central assistance for large infrastructure projects currently under implementation in Amaravati and other parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Pemmasani Chandrasekhar were present during the meeting.

As part of his Delhi visit, the Chief Minister also called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. During his meeting with Chouhan, Naidu sought Central support for natural farming, the coconut sector, mango growers and the strengthening of agriculture infrastructure. He informed the Minister that Andhra Pradesh had recorded a 2.28 per cent reduction in chemical usage, with 18 lakh farmers adopting organic farming practices.

Later, Naidu met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and submitted a representation seeking the completion of ongoing railway projects, sanction of new railway lines and the introduction of additional train services in the State. He also requested the establishment of mega coaching terminals at Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Amaravati.

The Chief Minister further urged the Railway Minister to extend the Bengaluru–Chennai high-speed rail corridor up to Tirupati to improve connectivity to the world-famous pilgrimage centre.