Amaravati, Dec 3
The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod for Amaravati capital development works worth Rs 11,471 crore.
The state Cabinet, at its meeting presided by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, gave its approval for the works which were cleared by the Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) on Monday. The Cabinet consented to cancel the old tenders for these works and call for fresh tenders.
Briefing media persons on the decisions taken by the Cabinet, Minister for Information and Public Relations, Kolusu Parthasarathi, and Minister for Municipal Administration P. Narayana said the estimated cost of the works in Amaravati has gone up steeply as the previous government completely neglected these works and that they have to be taken up afresh now. The estimated cost for constructing 360 km long trunk roads has increased by Rs 460 crore, Narayana said, adding that the works in Amaravati include building administrative towers, an Assembly building, and the High Court complex for which the tenders will be called by the end of December. The budget estimates at that time for the construction of these structures was Rs 41,000 crore, which has now risen by 30 percent, he added.
Kolusu Parthasarathi stated that the Cabinet cleared certain policies to improve the economic condition of the State, which include a policy on Andhra Pradesh Information Technology and Global Capability Centres, the AP Textile, Apparel and Garments policy, and the AP Maritime policy. The IT and GCC policy has been introduced with a view to transforming the State into a global hub for the knowledge economy, Parthasarathi said.
The Minister made it clear that the State Government is committed to the most prestigious "One Family, One Industrialist" goal and stated that the Government is planning to encourage co-working spaces and neighboring working spaces to create basic amenities on a war footing. This policy has been adopted to provide employment to the youth while improving the economic condition of the State, Parthasarathi maintained. This will certainly help promote every graduate to the global level besides enabling them to secure very high salaries, he observed.
The Maritime policy has been formulated to develop Andhra Pradesh as a globally renowned State with the largest coastline of 975 km. Parthasarathi noted that Gujarat is currently in the top position while Andhra Pradesh is in second place; once the Maritime policy comes into effect, the State will certainly acquire the top position.
Efforts are also being made to encourage the shipbuilding industry, the Minister said, adding that the Chief Minister is holding discussions with the Prime Minister for establishing a mega shipyard in the State. Steps are being taken to provide the necessary infrastructure for shipbuilding clusters and allied projects, he concluded.