TDP spokesperson Maddipatla Surya Prakash highlighted investments, jobs, irrigation projects and industrial expansion in Rayalaseema while criticising the previous YSRCP government.
Mangalagiri: Rayalaseema is witnessing accelerated industrial, agricultural and infrastructure development under the coalition government, TDP State spokesperson Maddipatla Surya Prakash said on Tuesday.
Addressing a media conference at the TDP Central Office, Surya Prakash contrasted the coalition government's development initiatives with the previous YSRCP government's record and accused former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy of failing to adequately address the region's irrigation and industrial needs.
Surya Prakash said the foundation for the government's current development strategy was laid through TDP National General Secretary Nara Lokesh's Yuva Galam padayatra in 2023. He said Lokesh had announced the Mission Rayalaseema initiative after witnessing migration and water shortages across the region.
According to Surya Prakash, Rayalaseema has attracted investments worth around Rs. 4.68 lakh crore, with the potential to generate 3.2 lakh employment opportunities.
He pointed to the recently initiated Rs. 10,000 crore Suzlon investment in Rayadurgam, which is expected to create around 4,000 jobs. He also cited the proposed Rs. 17,000 crore steel plant and the Rs. 3,500 crore second phase of Dalmia Cement in Kadapa.
The spokesperson said companies such as Royal Enfield, Kia, LG and Reliance have established operations or investments in the region. He also referred to the proposed AMCA fighter aircraft manufacturing unit at Puttaparthi.
Surya Prakash said several stalled projects had been revived, including the Amaravati-Anantapur greenfield highway, solar and wind energy hubs in Kurnool and Nandyal, and industrial estates at Orvakal and Kopparthi.
He also said 2,500 additional acres had been allocated for the second phase of Sri City and claimed that a High Court bench in Kurnool was expected to be established within 90 days.
The TDP spokesperson said irrigation remained a major priority for the coalition government. He claimed that Rs. 26,000 crore had been spent on Rayalaseema irrigation projects during the TDP's earlier tenure and since 2024, with another Rs. 10,000 crore allocated in the current budget.
He said the Handri-Neeva project had been completed and that around 55 TMC of water had been diverted towards the region's drought-prone areas.
Surya Prakash accused the previous YSRCP government of failing to attract major new industries to Rayalaseema and alleged that policies of harassment and extortion resulted in some companies shifting operations outside the State.
He challenged YSRCP leaders to participate in an open debate on the development of Rayalaseema and compare the records of the two governments.
He alleged that despite the previous government having a substantial State budget, inadequate funds were allocated to regional irrigation and claimed that several projects failed to create additional irrigation potential.
Surya Prakash said the coalition government was focused on addressing drought, expanding irrigation, attracting industries and creating employment opportunities. He asserted that the new investments and infrastructure projects were evidence of the government's commitment to Rayalaseema's development.
