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

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.