A view of the Hope Island on the Kakinada coast in East Godavari district.
| Photo Credit: File Photo

Davos/New Delhi:

Andhra Pradesh is working hard to become a green hydrogen hub and to take the lead in the area of artificial intelligence (AI) development, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu told NDTV at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos.

Green hydrogen is a clean energy source that only emits water vapour and leaves no residue in the air.

Mr Naidu, who comes to Davos as part of the ‘India Story’, said he is keeping a keen eye on the latest global trends on investments.

“Green energy, green hydrogen, and AI are hot subjects globally. We want to promote and be leaders in them,” Mr Naidu said.

He said there are two sides to the speed of doing business.

“Speed of doing business is one aspect. The other aspect is how departments can work to deliver services to citizens effectively and efficiently. We are in an inspiring time. We have access to historical data at a time when AI is becoming mature,” the Chief Minister said, adding the combination of real-time data collection, update, and integration will help in creating quick solutions.

“Earlier, I used to talk about transparency. Now, it is a matter of knowledge enhancement. That is what is happening. Speed of doing business is a reality. Business always has to be done within a stipulated time and that is where we are working,” Mr Naidu said. “Investors have confidence and faith in us because of a fast track record.”

Green Hydrogen

While Andhra wants to be a leader in the area of producing green hydrogen, globally green hydrogen is considered expensive. On whether he is confident that the price will be something which will be viable for people across India, Mr Naidu said, “Global warming is a reality and we are crossing 1.5 [degree Celsius]. Everybody is worried and we are seeing the impacts all over the world. The issue is how to bridge the gap between countries on green energy and green hydrogen. In our state, if you can go for solar, wind and pumped energy, compared to your traditional energy, our average power procurement cost will be less as on today.”

He said the area of green hydrogen is slowly maturing, citing the NTPC project for green hydrogen in Visakhapatnam that costs Rs 1.87 lakh crore.

“Greenco is going in a big way. Already, they produced a hybrid model, solar, wind, pumped energy, green energy and now they want to go for green ammonia. They will start producing within a year and are tying up with buyers. So, this is a reality that is slowly maturing,” Mr Naidu said.

Drone City

Mr Naidu’s government is working to develop a ‘drone city’ in the state. This will increase mechanisation and bring with it a lot of changes. He gave the example of how drones can take over part of police patrolling work.

“I had to deploy many personnel for police patrolling earlier. Now I can deploy two-three drones and they will patrol. The personnel will intervene and go to the site when needed,” Mr Naidu said. “Many other similar applications can be developed in the area of health, education, medicine. When there is a flood, I cannot reach every home. I can send relief material using drones. India has some distance to go for drone applications, which is why I want to prepare use cases.”

He said Andhra can give proof of concept, and if it is proven to work, then manufacturers can take over and scale it up.

“This is the model we are working on,” Mr Naidu said.

Amaravati Project

Mr Naidu said he developed Hyderabad and created Cyberabad in undivided Andhra, and after bifurcation he has been compelled to develop one more city, Amaravati. “Naturally, it will be the grandest with new technologies and environmental sustainability. India needs new cities… After Chandigarh, cities have only expanded but no new ones have been created.”

Mr Naidu said the Centre is doing its best to help the state.

“But my state was in deep trouble after five years of rule, total destruction. Amaravati was almost defunct and destroyed. Polavaram was derailed. Development was totally stopped. I had so many problems… NDA is helping us, but overnight we cannot transform things. A good thing is changes are happening very fast and Amaravati is on track. Polavaram is also going on,” Mr Naidu told NDTV.

The five-day meeting at Davos that began on Monday is exploring how to relaunch growth, harness new technologies and strengthen social and economic resilience, according to the World Economic Forum. The global meeting is seeing participation by nearly 3,000 leaders from over 130 countries, including 350 governmental leaders.

India’s participation at Davos aims to strengthen partnerships, attract investment, and position the country as a global leader in sustainable development and technological innovation. India sent five Union ministers, three chief ministers, and ministers from several other states to the WEF this time.

Tirupati:

Following the tragic stampede at the Tirupati Balaji Temple, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased, along with providing contract jobs. The injured will also be granted special darshan at the temple on Friday.

The announcement came after CM Naidu visited the site of the stampede, which took place on January 8 and resulted in the loss of six lives, with nearly 40 people sustaining injuries.

“Rs 25 Lakhs ex-gratia and contract job will be provided to the families of the deceased. 35 injured victims will be provided darshan tomorrow,” said CM.

Speaking about the incident, Mr Naidu assured that a judicial inquiry would be ordered to conduct a thorough investigation and provide a detailed report.

“Judicial inquiry will be ordered into the incident to submit a detailed report. Two officials – Goshala director Arunadh Reddy and one police personnel have been suspended. SP, AEO Gautami and one more person are being transferred,” he added.

Mr Naidu further acknowledged that the security arrangements for crowd management had “failed”.

“I’m not blaming anyone. I’ve been in politics for the last 45 years. Security was deployed but more precautions should have been taken. The officials who were deployed failed. If they had released them half an hour or one hour prior, this wouldn’t have happened. Better coordination is required,” said the Chief Minister

Meanwhile, YSRCP chief and former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy visited Tirupati to meet with the victims and offer support.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed his condolences and announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the victims who died in the stampede.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Tirupati stampede: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will visit Tirupati today after the death of six devotees in a stampede last evening during the distribution of tokens for the Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival. Temple trust officials said that the gate at one of the token counters was opened for a woman who was feeling unwell, which led to chaos and resulted in a stampede. Tirupati Collector S Venkateswar told NDTV that it took around 15 minutes to evacuate the devotees.

Here are the updates on Tirupati stampede:

Kuppam:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday once again flagged the falling birthrates and said India should not repeat the mistakes committed by other countries such as South Korea and Japan, where birthrates have plummeted.

Naidu said there should be a discussion in every home from tomorrow over birthrate and population management.

“We should not repeat the mistakes committed by other countries and be careful. Kuppam has also come to 1.5 (birth rate). It should be above two but has come to 1.5, which means it is decreasing. South Korea plummeted to 0.9 (birth rate) while Japan is facing even bigger issues,” said Naidu while unveiling the Kuppam Vision-2029 document in Chittoor district here, aimed at all-round development of the constituency.

Naidu represents the Kuppam segment in the assembly.

Akin to a similar vision at the state level, SwarnaAndhra@2047, the CM launched the vision of achieving a ‘Swarna Kuppam’ (golden Kuppam).

The CM said some couples are averse to having children nowadays because they do not want to share the money they earned and use those riches for their own enjoyment.

“Had your parents also thought like that, would you have come into this world now? Everybody should have clarity on this matter,” he said, reminding that childlessness was considered a stigma at one time.

Further, he noted that the world is a continuous process and society must go on unendingly.

Naidu in October last year, said there was a need to manage the population in Andhra Pradesh given that there will be an increase in the aging population.

“Till 2047, we will have the demographic dividend, there will be more youngsters. After 2047, there will be more old people…if less than two children are given birth (per woman), then the population will reduce. If you (each woman) give birth to more than two children, then the population will increase,” Naidu had said.

Encompassing ‘Padu Sutralu’ (10 principles), Kuppam Vision-2029 aims to achieve zero poverty. The principle aim is to create employment, manage population, skilling, achieve water security, fulfil farmers’ aspirations, adopt deep tech in all walks of life and others.

Moreover, Naidu noted that the government will focus on skilling, education and other initiatives for developing Kuppam.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command, during the special operational demo organised in Visakhapatnam on January 4, 2025.
| Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on January 4, 2025 (Saturday) stressed the need to transform Visakhapatnam into a maritime gateway of Andhra Pradesh, adding that the city had all the trappings of achieving the status.

Mr. Naidu was speaking after witnessing the special operational demo organised at RK Beach in Visakhapatnam. His wife Bhuvaneswari and grandson Devansh, Chief Justice of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh Dhiraj Singh Thakur and ENC Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar were present.

The Chief Minister also sought the support of the Indian Navy, especially Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Naval Command (ENC), in achieving some of the goals set by the government such as making the State a drone technology hub.

Lamenting that the government had missed an opportunity to utilise INS Viraat for tourism purposes in the past, he said it was ready to seize any such opportunity in the future. “The government is committed to transforming Visakhapatnam into a tourism capital, besides making it a financial capital of the State,” he added.

Mr. Naidu further said that his government would promote the Defence sector and its projects. It was the TDP government that had brought the INS Kursura Submarine Museum and the TU 142 Aircraft Museum to the city, he recalled.

Speaking about the importance of the ENC, Mr. Naidu said, “It was formed in 1968. Though there were prominent coastal cities such as Kolkata and Chennai on the eastern coast, Visakhapatnam got the opportunity of being the base of the Eastern Naval Command. It is a matter of pride for the State and the people of the city.”

He recalled that the ENC had done a commendable job during the Indo-Pak war in 1971. The humanitarian contributions of the ENC in extending the rescue and relief operations during Cyclone Hudhud in October 2014 in Visakhapatnam were laudable, he said.

Mr. Naidu took the opportunity of reiterating his plans of providing Metro Rail in Visakhapatnam. He further said that efforts were underway to protect RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant from being privatised.

New Delhi:

Close to 500 people registered themselves today as members as the Telugu Desam Party or TDP, a BJP ally, launched its first-ever membership drive in Delhi, drawing an enthusiastic response.

Held at the Masonic Center of India, the membership drive marks a pivotal moment for the TDP as it expands beyond Andhra Pradesh.

The membership drive was led by the Krishna Mohan Alapati, TDP’s Delhi leader. He addressed the members about the party’s vision of progress and development. Mr Alapati also praised the leadership of N Chandrababu Naidu, party chief and the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.

“It is not just a TDP drive, it is a drive to strengthen the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and TDP…The drive is very good. A large number of people are arriving to participate in this drive…The party is doing well under the leadership of Nara Lokesh and Chandrababu Naidu…Andhra Pradesh is also growing fast…,” Mr Alapati said. 

The alliance of TDP, BJP and Janasena won a landslide victory in the state, bagging 21 parliamentary and 164 assembly seats. The TDP won 16 Lok Sabha seats, BJP three and Janasena two, decimating the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party (YSRCP). Out of 25 Lok Sabha seats, NDA won 21 seats while the YSRCP managed to win only four seats.

Six years after severing ties, the TDP joined the BJP-led NDA alliance in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Andhra Pradesh also played a crucial role in Lok Sabha elections with its 25 parliamentary seats, making the TDP’s influence pivotal in the NDA’s overall strength.  

The party’s alliance with the BJP in the NDA adds diversity and depth to the coalition, ensuring that Southern India has a strong voice at the center. This nationwide membership drive sends a strong message about the party’s inclusivity and its intent to represent regional interests on a national platform.

Amaravati:

The Andhra Pradesh government, on Tuesday, suspended senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and Additional Director General of Police N Sanjay for violation of conduct rules.

The General Administration Department issued an order, placing the former Chief of Crime Investigation Department (CID) under suspension under Rule 3 (1) of All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969.

There were allegations that the 1993-batch IPS officer was involved in certain irregularities while serving as Director General of State Disaster Response and Fire Services.

The IPS officer has been directed not to leave the headquarters.

During the previous regime of the YSR Congress Party, Sanjay as the CID Chief supervised the probe into the cases related to the Andhra Pradesh Skill Development Corporation scam and alignment of Amaravati Inner Ring Road against the then Leader of the Opposition and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President, N. Chandrababu Naidu. These cases resulted in the arrest of Naidu who spent nearly two months in jail.

After Chandrababu Naidu assumed office as the Chief Minister in June following the electoral victory of the TDP-led NDA, Sanjay was transferred and asked to report to the office of the DGP.

The new government also ordered the Vigilance and Enforcement (V&E) Department to investigate the allegations against the IPS officer.

The V&E Department reportedly found that Sanjay misused his official position to facilitate payment of Rs 1 crore to Sautrika Technologies and Infra Private Ltd. without any progress in the assigned work.

The IPS officer allegedly engaged in bid rigging and favouritism while awarding tenders, compromising the integrity of the process and betraying the public trust.

The Vigilance report recommended the government to take criminal action against the company and impose appropriate legal measures on Sanjay under the Central Services Conduct Rules.

The TDP-led coalition government had transferred senior IPS officers, including DGP-rank officials P. S. R. Anjanyeulu and P. V. Sunil Kumar, Additional DGP N. Sanjay, IGPs Kanthi Rana Tata, G. Pala Raju and K. Raghuram Reddy and DIG-rank officials R. N. Ammi Reddy, Ch. Vijaya Rao and Vishal Gunni.

These officials were transferred either by the Election Commission of India during the poll process by the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led alliance government after coming to power in June. They were not given postings and were directed to report to the office of DGP.

Some of these officers faced allegations of targeting TDP leaders, including Chandrababu Naidu during the YSR Congress party’s rule.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Amaravati:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday praised US Vice President elect-JD Vance’s victory in the presidential election as a historic moment as it will catapult a woman of Telugu heritage, Usha Chilukuri Vance, as the Second Lady of the United States.

Usha is the wife of JD Vance and her family’s ancestral village Vadluru is located near famous Godavari town Tanuku in the lush green West Godavari district, about 35 km from district headquarters Bhimavaram.

With the Trump-Vance victory on Wednesday, Usha Vance, 38, is set to become America’s Second Lady — the first Indian-American in that role.

“I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to JD Vance, on becoming the US Vice President-elect. His victory marks a historic moment, as Usha Vance, who has roots in Andhra Pradesh, will become the first woman of Telugu heritage to serve as the second lady of the US,” said Mr Naidu in a post on X.

Calling this a moment of pride for the Telugu community around the world, Mr Naidu said he looks forward to the opportunity to invite them (JD Vance and Usha) to visit Andhra Pradesh.

I would also like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. @JDVance, on becoming the US Vice President-elect. His victory marks a historic moment, as Mrs. Usha Vance, who has roots in Andhra Pradesh, will become the first woman of Telugu heritage to serve as the Second Lady…

— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) November 6, 2024

Earlier, the chief minister congratulated Donald Trump for winning the 2024 US presidential election and wished him success.

The chief minister said that Mr Trump’s election would further strengthen ties between India and the US.

“I congratulate Donald Trump on his victory in the US Presidential Elections and wish him success as he prepares to lead his country forward. His first tenure marked significant strengthening of the Indo-US partnership,” said Mr Naidu in a post on ‘X’.

The TDP chief expressed confidence that the two nations, India and the US, will foster greater cooperation under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Mr Trump.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday said that the World Bank has agreed to extend Rs 15,000 crore loan to the state government for the construction of the capital Amaravati and its work will start from December.

Addressing a press conference here, Chandrababu Naidu, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he met on Monday, said, the Centre has agreed to release Rs 12,500 crore towards the construction works of Polavaram project.

He further said oil and gas major Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd will be setting up a refinery with an investment outlay of Rs 85,000 crore in the state and the company is currently conducting a feasibility study into selecting the location.

The chief minister said he appraised the PM of “Swarna Andhra Pradesh 2047” vision document which is under preparation, aiming to make the state a USD 2.5 trillion economy with USD 40,000 per capita income.

“The World Bank has agreed to give Rs 15,000 crore for the construction of Amaravati capital phase-1. The work will start in December. We will work in a time-bound manner,” Chandrababu Naidu said.

Replying to a query, he said both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are engaged in talks to resolve pending issues.

He said the upcoming Visakhapatnam International Airport at Bhogapuram will be ready by December next year and the GMR group which is executing the project was asked to set up a “Civil Aviation University” in the vicinity.

“I have explained to the Prime Minister about the financial destruction that took place during the last five years. At the same time, I have informed him that the state is facing financial difficulties,” he said.

The CM alleged that the previous YSRCP government failed to utilise the Central sponsored schemes and the funds given by the union government were diverted for other purposes. They have not given the utilisation certificates for the Central funds, resulting in a stoppage of fund flow, he said.

Chandrababu Naidu said due to laxity of the previous government as much as 85 lakh tons of garbage was piled up across the state, which the present regime started disposing of.

The Andhra CM said the Centre was requested to construct Greenfield Expressway between Vijayawada and Hyderabad and also a 185 km-long Outer Ring road at Amravati.

He said the union government is currently mulling various options for the survival of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

Chandrababu Naidu is currently in the national capital and met PM Modi and some of his Cabinet colleagues, including Nitin Gadkari and Hardeep Singh Puri.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)