'Andhra a land of possibilities': Modi launches ₹2L-cr projects

The Centre will work with Andhra Pradesh in realising its vision of becoming a nearly $2.5 trillion economy by 2047, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday as he laid the foundation stone and launched projects worth ₹2 lakh crore in Visakhapatnam, including the country's first Green Hydrogen Hub under National Green Hydrogen Mission.

- Srinivasa Rao Apparasu

HYDERABAD:

Modi, who was on his first visit to the Telugu state after assuming the office of the PM for the third consecutive term last June, also took out a grand roadshow in the coastal city along with chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and deputy CM Pawan Kalyan. Naidu's Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Kalyan-led Jana Sena Party are key allies of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

Describing Andhra Pradesh as a "land of possibilities and opportunities", Modi said the time has come for it to become a centre of new futuristic technologies. "The country launched the National Green Hydrogen Mission in 2023. Our aim is to make 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen production (annually) by 2030. As a first step, two green hydrogen hubs will be set up, of which one is in Visakhapatnam," he said.

As part of its "Swarna Andhra@2047" initiative, the Chandrababu Naidu government has set an ambitious target of transforming the state into a $2.4-trillion economy by 2047. Modi said his government at the Centre will work with the southern state in realising that vision.