Naidu Pitches $10 Trillion Southern Economy by 2047, Urges Regional Unity
Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu says southern states can reach $10 trillion economy by 2047, urging cooperation on infrastructure, water and disaster response.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday projected that the southern region's economy could expand to $10 trillion by 2047, while calling for deeper inter-state cooperation to achieve that goal.
Speaking at the Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Naidu noted that southern states already contribute about 31% of India's GDP and are vital to the Viksit Bharat vision.
He pressed the Centre to expedite resolution of pending bifurcation-related issues, stressing that trust and mutual cooperation between the Centre and states are essential. He acknowledged that the Polavaram Project, South Coast Railway Zone and Amaravati projects are progressing with central support, but flagged that Schedule IX and X institutions under the AP Reorganisation Act remain unresolved even after 12 years.
Naidu proposed a bullet-train corridor linking Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, suggesting a route through his home constituency Kuppam and a transport network connecting Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai. He also sought approval for metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada.
Other proposals included a common logistics network with dry ports across southern states, linking the southern power grid with the national grid, and a joint consortium of universities and skilling institutions. He suggested a Mutual Aid Force for inter-state cooperation during disasters.
On water, Naidu proposed diverting over 500 TMC through the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project, calling it a permanent solution to Tamil Nadu's water problems. He urged coordinated efforts by Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu on river-water issues, and sought time-bound detailed project reports and approvals for river-linking projects, including a long-term national plan for Ganga-Cauvery linking.
He also suggested a common spiritual tourism circuit connecting Tirupati with Kashi, Ayodhya and the Char Dham sites.