Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched the JSW Rayalaseema Steel Plant and renewable energy projects, saying Andhra Pradesh is set to emerge as India's next steel powerhouse.
Kadapa: Declaring that Andhra Pradesh is poised to become India's next steel powerhouse, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday launched the construction of the JSW Rayalaseema Steel Plant and JSW Neo Energy Solar Captive Power Project at Sunnapurallapalle in YSR Kadapa district. He also virtually inaugurated the construction of the JSW Industrial Park in Vizianagaram district.
Addressing a large gathering, the Chief Minister said the projects marked the beginning of a new era of industrialisation for Rayalaseema and would transform Andhra Pradesh into a leading destination for steel production, renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.
The JSW Rayalaseema Steel Plant will be developed in two phases with an investment of Rs. 16,350 crore and an annual production capacity of 2 million tonnes. Alongside it, JSW Neo Energy will establish a 3,850 MW solar and wind captive power project with an investment of Rs. 20,350 crore to supply green energy to the steel plant. The company is also setting up a 1,166-acre industrial park in Vizianagaram district with an investment of Rs. 531 crore.
Together, the projects are expected to generate 2,700 direct jobs, while the broader JSW expansion plans are projected to create employment for nearly 50,000 people.
The Chief Minister said Andhra Pradesh is attracting major investments from JSW Steel, ArcelorMittal and the revived Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, positioning the State as a national steel manufacturing hub. He noted that the Centre had extended Rs. 11,440 crore in financial assistance to support the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, while a proposed Rs. 1.35 lakh crore ArcelorMittal steel project in Anakapalle would further strengthen the sector.
Naidu said the government would provide 2 TMC of water to the Kadapa steel plant through a 15-kilometre pipeline from the Gandikota reservoir and ensure seamless road, rail and port connectivity, besides facilitating the supply of high-quality local iron ore.
Highlighting Rayalaseema's transformation, the Chief Minister said the region is emerging as a hub for horticulture, rare earth minerals, gold mining, defence manufacturing, automobiles, electric mobility, drones, electronics and green energy. He added that Rayalaseema was no longer a drought-prone region but was steadily becoming a prosperous, water-secure and industrially vibrant economy.
Naidu also announced that the Global Horticulture Hub at Madanapalle would be launched before August 15. He said Rs. 40,000 crore would be invested under the Purvodaya Programme for Rayalaseema's horticulture ecosystem, complemented by Rs. 60,000 crore in private investments. He reiterated the government's plan to develop Gandikota into a world-class tourism destination comparable to the Grand Canyon.
Recalling the success of attracting Kia Motors to Anantapur in 2017, the Chief Minister said the automobile manufacturer has since produced 1.9 million vehicles, exporting nearly 300,000 to over 90 countries, significantly transforming the regional economy.
He also criticised the previous government's handling of the proposed Brahmani Steels project, alleging that valuable mineral resources were misused without creating the promised steel plant. He asserted that Rayalaseema's mineral wealth should be utilised within the region to create industries and employment for local youth.
Speaking on the occasion, JSW Group Chairman and Managing Director Sajjan Jindal described Chandrababu Naidu as one of India's rare visionary leaders capable of planning decades ahead. He announced that the company intends to expand the Rayalaseema Steel Plant beyond its initial 2 million tonnes annual capacity and invest nearly Rs. 50,000 crore across Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier, the Chief Minister visited the project's Experience Centre, reviewed scale models of the steel plant and industrial park, and held discussions on future investment opportunities.
Union Minister Srinivasa Varma, Ministers S. Savitha and Gottipati Ravi Kumar, BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav, MLA Adinarayana Reddy and other public representatives attended the programme.
