PM Modi Says Andhra Pradesh Can Become Growth Engine of ‘Viksit Bharat’

Bhogapuram (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 2026 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said Andhra Pradesh has the potential to emerge as a major growth engine for the realisation of the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’, asserting that the state is witnessing rapid development under the leadership of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district, Modi said the NDA government was working with renewed speed and determination to transform Andhra Pradesh into a major economic and infrastructure hub.

He said the entire NDA team in the state was working at “double the speed” and recalled that he had sought the people’s mandate for a “double-engine government” so that development initiatives could move forward at a faster pace.

The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth nearly Rs 18,000 crore, covering areas including aviation, road connectivity, energy security and semiconductor manufacturing.

“These development works are a symbol of the speed at which Andhra Pradesh is progressing today,” Modi said, congratulating the people of the state on the projects. He expressed confidence that the initiatives would contribute significantly towards the goals of ‘Swarna Andhra’ and ‘Viksit Bharat’.

Modi said Andhra Pradesh was emerging as an important contributor to India’s energy and economic ambitions. He credited Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s efforts and said the state was increasingly attracting interest from major global companies looking for investment opportunities.

Aviation expansion

Highlighting the transformation of India’s aviation sector over the past 12 years, Modi said the country had only 74 operational airports in 2014, while the number has now risen to 166.

He said air travel was once largely confined to major cities and affluent sections of society, but government initiatives had expanded access to smaller towns and ordinary families.

The Prime Minister highlighted the role of the UDAN scheme, saying regional connectivity had enabled people from smaller cities and economically weaker sections to participate in India’s growing aviation economy.

He said the government had recently launched the second phase of UDAN, under which around Rs 29,000 crore would be invested to further expand regional air connectivity.

Modi also referred to the emerging hub-and-spoke airport model, saying such infrastructure would help connect regional centres with domestic and international destinations.

The newly inaugurated Bhogapuram airport, developed under a public-private partnership, is expected to significantly strengthen connectivity in northern Andhra Pradesh and provide a boost to tourism, trade, investment and employment.

Infrastructure push across coastal Andhra

The Prime Minister said the government’s development strategy was not limited to individual projects but focused on creating an integrated ecosystem capable of supporting sustained economic growth.

“Investment for Employment” is the government’s guiding principle, Modi said, adding that public investment was being complemented by efforts to encourage private-sector participation.

He said Andhra Pradesh was being developed as a major Coastal Economic Corridor, with existing ports from Visakhapatnam to Krishnapatnam being modernised and new ports being developed at Mulapeta and Ramayapatnam.

According to Modi, these projects would strengthen maritime infrastructure while creating new opportunities for industries, logistics and trade.

He also pointed to the expansion of highways and expressways across the state, including the Visakhapatnam-Raipur Expressway, which he said would provide fresh momentum to regional economic activity.

Railway infrastructure is also receiving a major push, with projects worth nearly Rs 1 lakh crore underway in Andhra Pradesh. Modi said these initiatives would improve connectivity between the state and major industrial centres across the country.

Andhra Pradesh emerging as technology hub

The Prime Minister said Andhra Pradesh was also positioning itself as a major centre for emerging technologies, particularly semiconductors, artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.

He referred to Google’s announced plans for an AI and cloud infrastructure campus in the state with an investment of $15 billion, saying such projects reflected growing international confidence in Andhra Pradesh.

“Many other global companies are seeing new opportunities here,” Modi said, adding that the resulting investments would generate benefits not only for Andhra Pradesh but also for the country’s youth through employment and new economic opportunities.

He stressed that the creation of a global growth centre requires an entire ecosystem rather than a single project. Connectivity, energy, logistics, technology, skilled manpower and investment must work together, he said.

PM Gati Shakti to integrate infrastructure

Modi also highlighted the role of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in integrating different modes of transport and improving logistics.

He said railways, ports and airports were being planned and connected as part of an integrated infrastructure network. Once the network is fully developed, industries would benefit from improved connectivity, farmers would gain better access to markets and businesses would find it easier to operate, he said.

The Prime Minister also praised the cultural welcome he received in Andhra Pradesh. More than 13,000 tribal women performed the traditional Dhimsa dance, leaving Modi visibly impressed.

He praised the performers for their enthusiasm, discipline and presentation of tribal culture, describing the spectacle as a remarkable expression of Andhra Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage.

The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Goa Governor Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and other senior leaders and officials.

Modi’s visit and the launch of the major infrastructure projects underline the Centre and Andhra Pradesh government’s effort to position the state as a key investment, manufacturing, logistics and technology destination as India advances towards the goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.