Equitable growth need of the hour

Today Nara Chandrababu Naidu takes oath as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He had earlier announced that Guntur, Vijayawada and Eluru region would be developed as tri-city and the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh is also slated to be built in the area. With a long and illustrious socio-political and cultural history, the area had played a major role in several important movements that changed the course of history until Hyderabad became the capital of erstwhile AP. The new status is a promise of better times. Instead of concentrating on one area, equitable distribution of development will lead to a more organic growth of the new state.

Vijayawada has a chequered history of over 2,000 years where Jainism and Buddhism flourished along with Hinduism. The triangle of the three districts, witnessed many social reform movements such as ‘atheism’ of Gora, rationalism of Tripuraneni Rama Swamy Chowdary among others. Vijayawada has been the stronghold of Communist movement since its genesis in India.

Vijayawada city, popularly known as the “Fleet Street of Andhra Pradesh”, gave birth to a number of newspapers and journals. Newspapers like Andhra Patrika, Andhra Prabha which played an important role in the freedom struggle had their offices in Vijayawada even before they set foot on other regions. Telugu cinema has had its origins in Vijayawada. Producers like Parupalli Seshayya, Kurukura Subba Rao and Gudavalli Ramabrahmam who pioneered the cinema industry and actors like N T Rama Rao and Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who were the pillars of cinema industry hailed from here. A number of film distributor offices used to function from Gandhi Nagar area. The city is also called the political and commercial capital of the state. This was before the action shifted to Hyderabad as the capital of the combined State.

Guntur has been, from time immemorial is known for its political, industrial and educational, significance. Amaravathi, the famous Buddhist centre, also known in the history as Dhanyakataka or Dharanikota, was once the capital of Sathavahana Empire. The tobacco business of Guntur has reached out to the world much before globalisation. The hospitals of the city date back to centuries.

Eluru is world renowned for its carpet industry developed by the Persians centuries ago. Guntur, especially Tenali, also called Andhra Paris has been a birth place for many a litterateur and artistes and has been a hub of literary activities.

Today as the area is considered to be developed as a Tri-city and the capital slated to be built here, one hopes to regain the lost glory. However a more homogenous development plan is the need of the hour.

The government of the New Andhra Pradesh has to make an objective decision sans political considerations for equitable development of all the 13 districts of the new state.

Srikakulam & Vizianagaram

Srikakulam has the longest coast line (192km) and a large percentage of forest area (12.05%) and hence, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries may be developed in the region. Top priority should be given for developing the Kalingapatnam sea port and fishing harbour for revenue generation along the coast.

A railway line from the present railway station at Srikakulam Road (Amadalavalasa) connecting Arasavilli (Sun God Temple) Salihundam (Buddhist Centre) and Srikurmam (Pilgrim Centre) to Kalingapatnam Port will boost up the district’s economy and standards of the living of the people.

Vizianagaram has a rich cultural heritage dating back to centuries. Increased facilities and centres of art and culture will give the necessary fillip. Top priority has to be given to complete the unfinished projects in the district.

Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam is the seat of one of the oldest universities in the country, Andhra University. The Reorganisation Act has also promised the establishment of a Central University, NIT and IIM over there. The district has the potential to become industrial hub as well, as the city already has many industries under its belt. Further, there is a need to develop Visakhapatnam port that already is counted amongst the prominent sea ports of India.

East Godavari & West Godavari

The area, said to be the rice bowl of the state, is also rich in aqua, shrimp and other sea food. Additionally, focus on horticulture will augment the development of plants to be exported to different parts of the country and abroad. Oil and natural gas reserves are plenty and obviously the area can be a hub of power projects. Development of the region as a petro corridor is also under active consideration. The Union Government has also promised to set up a petro university there. Kakinada Deep Sea port has already made a mark and Madhavaya Palem Port, where ship repairs used to be carried out in 1677, may be revived and developed.

Krishna, Guntur & Prakasam

Krishna district has always been the press, political and financial capital of Andhra Pradesh with its rich water and mineral resources. Development of Vijayawada Air Port and Machilipatnam Port can be given top priority as it would give fillip to the economy of state in general and the districts of Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and West Godavari in particular. The area is rich in mineral resources. Central Institutes for developing diamonds, Narji lime, copper and iron ore, magnetite, silica, quartz and barium sulphate can be planned in the area.

Importance of Vijayawada airport

Strategically located, Vijayawada serves as a connecting point to all parts of India. Upgrading the Gannavaram airport near Vijayawada to an international airport would boost up the economy as there is a lot of potential for air traffic as well as air cargo from this airport.

Vijayawada, being the bridge between the north and the south, domestic air traffic would record enormous growth in the years to come. Global air traffic is also expected to increase. Further, tourist centers like Kolleru, Manginapudi Beach, Bhavani Island, Kanakadurga Temple, Amaravavathi Buddhist Monastery, Undavalli Caves, St Mary’s Church, Nagarjuna Sagar, Kondapalli Fort etc., can be developed to attract foreign tourists. World famous Kuchipudi village, the abode of Kuchipudi dance form, is a major attraction for art lovers. The budding IT industry is yet another factor that warrants an international airport.

There is a lot of scope for air cargo as this region is rich in food crops, pulses, oil seeds, commercial crops and horticultural produce. This area is also rich in medicinal and aromatic plants.

The rare handicrafts such as Kondapalli toys, Mangalagiri handloom sarees, Pedana Kalakamari dress material, Eluru carpets and many more enjoy international market. Fish and prawn, both marine and inland from this region account for 20% of the total country’s production.

International airport at Vijayawada is a sine qua non and a booster for the economy of the country and Andhra Pradesh.

Nellore & Chittoor

Krishnapatnam port is the crowning glory of Nellore district. The area is rich in agricultural and mineral resources. The mica mines of Nellore district are world famous. Further gold, quartz, iron and steatite mines of the district can be explored to augment development.

Kurnool & Anantapuram

The Rayalaseema region shall not be sidelined while developing a capital in Coastal Andhra region; else, it would lead to trouble. Diverting some of the industries or institutes of higher learning can assuage the feelings of the Seema region.

The white clay, haematite, Narji lime, steatites, iron, akrane and quartz reserves in Kurnool gives a lot of scope for industrial development. Anantapuram, which was long neglected by successive governments, certainly needs extra attention. The district is rich in barytes, lime, corandum, iron, statilite, yappamanam, diamonds, Kimberlite Pitpe rocks and Ramgiri gold reserves and they should be tapped judiciously.

Kadapa

The rivers and rivulets such as Penneru, Chitravathi, Kunderu, Papaghni, Sagileru, Pincha, Pullangi, Cheyyeru etc., may be utilised properly for solving the water problem of the district.

For the total and comprehensive development of the 13 districts of Andhra Pradesh, the 972km coast line, mineral resources, agricultural products and the skilled manpower can be optimally utilised. Decentralisation of the governing departments, multi-capital system and digitalisation of the transactions are the order of the day for good governance. Each district must be self-sufficient and self reliant in power, water and food grains.