Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam on Wednesday to lay the foundation for several major infrastructure projects and inaugurate others, marking his first visit to the state since assuming office for a third consecutive term in 2024.
The visit comes at a time when the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Andhra Pradesh, comprising the TDP, BJP, and Janasena, played a crucial role in the formation of the central government. Chief Secretary K Vijayanand confirmed Modi’s arrival on Tuesday, announcing that he would land at Visakhapatnam Airport at 4:15 pm in a special aircraft.
After his arrival, the Prime Minister will participate in a roadshow from 4:45 pm to 5:30 pm, accompanied by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. Following the roadshow, Modi will attend various foundation-laying ceremonies and inaugurations virtually.
Key projects on Modi’s agenda
Among the key projects, Modi will lay the foundation for a railway zone at Visakhapatnam and an integrated green hydrogen hub at Pudimadaka in Nakkapalli mandal, Anakapalli district. The green hydrogen hub, developed in collaboration between NTPC Green Energy Limited and NREDCAP, will focus on producing green chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, and urea, contributing to India’s green energy goals.
Covering an area of 1,200 acres near Gangavaram Seaport, the green hydrogen hub aims to create 57,000 jobs by 2032, with an investment of Rs 1.85 lakh crore. The development will include the establishment of 25 industrial units, utilities, logistics infrastructure, and desalination plants, providing a significant boost to the local and national economy.
Modi will also virtually launch the Krishnapatnam Industrial Hub, a Rs 1,518 crore project spread across 2,500 acres, which is expected to generate employment for 50,000 people. Additionally, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation for a Rs 1,877 crore bulk drug park in Nakkapalli, designed to create 54,000 jobs. The bulk drug park will come up on 2,002 acres with a total investment of Rs 11,542 crore.
Another significant part of the visit includes the virtual foundation-laying of railway doubling works between Guntur and Bibinagar, as well as Gooty and Pendekallu.
The visit is expected to attract over 1.5 lakh attendees at a public meeting scheduled between 5:30 pm and 6:45 pm at Andhra University. After the meeting, Modi will depart for Bhubaneswar at 7:15 pm from Vizag Airport. The state government, led by IT Minister Nara Lokesh, has made elaborate preparations to ensure the success of the visit.