AP needs game-changer development projects

·     International level capital* IT industry* ORR* International Airport*

Patibandla Srinivas 

The development of Andhra Pradesh is a topic of discussion everywhere especially among youth, neutral voters, educated and employees and other sections when the major political parties are gearing up for elections. As per history records, Andhra Pradesh is a symbol of success in all fields. The people of state have got a good reputation globally as these are intelligent sections. The people of Andhra achieved various records including education, industries, movies and also in politics. The people of Andhra origin play a dominant role in Telangana also in majority fields. As a result, they got recognition as the best brains. The feelgood factor prevailed on the people of the area wherever they live across the globe.

Unfortunately, the State government could not construct at least the capital city after losing the Hyderabad city due to state bifurcation. On the other hand, Telangana, which is separated from Andhra Pradesh claiming backwardness as one of the important reasons, now turned into the most developed state in various sectors.

The city of Hyderabad which is the state capital of Telangana stood as a world class destination. The IT products and exports of Hyderabad is nearly Rs 2.41 lakh crore (US$32 billion). It also stands in the second position with 16 per cent share of IT exports of the country. Nearly 9.5 lakh employees are living in Hyderabad depending on the IT industry alone. The then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has initiated the development by constructing Hitech city in Gachibowli which was once a totally hilly region. Similarly, Hyderabad has got recognition with some more development projects like International Airport, Outer Ring Road, Metro Rail and International Business School. The entire face of Hyderabad city has been changed with these important projects. Now the city is a destination for global investments. The construction of Outer Ring Road has not only answered many traffic problems but also given a big boost to the entire real estate and construction sector.

Many national and international companies started their establishments in the IT sector and several construction companies launched 55 storied buildings. During the process, lakhs of people of Hyderabad and Telangana earned unexpected wealth. The developments have provided jobs to lakhs of unemployed youth of the two Telugu States. It has unofficially India’s second capital. Interestingly all these development projects are the brainchild of the then Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who is now opposition leader of Andhra Pradesh.

Moreover, the then successor Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy has also continued Chandrababu Naidu plans. Now the people of the state, especially the educated and elite sections, say that such kind of model projects will only change the fate of Andhra Pradesh. After Nara Chandrababu Naidu was elected first Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh after the state bifurcation, some projects were launched during his tenure while some of them were halted midway after losing power. Big projects like ORR, International Airport, IT Industry and Metro were proposed by the previous TDP government during the 2014-2019. The people who remember Hyderabad model development are wishing for the same kind of game-changer development projects that would change the fate of Andhra Pradesh at least in near future.