PITHAPURAM, Andhra Pradesh, September 22, 2026 (Journalist File) — Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Tuesday announced a broad expansion of infrastructure and welfare initiatives in Pithapuram constituency, saying the government was accelerating efforts to address long-standing development needs.
During the second day of his constituency visit, Pawan inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects with a combined estimated value of about ₹1,500 crore. He also distributed welfare benefits to beneficiaries and inspected several development works.
Pawan said he would shift his camp office to Pithapuram within four months, allowing him to maintain a closer administrative focus on the constituency.
Water, drainage and coastal protection
One of the major projects inaugurated during the visit was the upgraded Nagulapalli Integrated Protected Drinking Water Scheme in U. Kothapalli mandal. The ₹9.59 crore project is expected to supply drinking water to about 97,000 people across 52 habitations, officials said.
Pawan inspected the water-supply facilities and reviewed household tap connections installed in Kondevaaram.
Addressing the “Pithapuram Ninduga — Abhivruddhi Panduga” public meeting at the RRBHR grounds, he said steps were being taken to address coastal erosion along the Uppada shoreline.
The Centre has approved ₹323 crore for construction of a protective wall along the coast, Pawan said. He also said Pithapuram railway station was being developed under the Amrit Bharat programme at an estimated cost of ₹35 crore.
The government has also taken up a ₹225 crore underground drainage system and is constructing two sewage treatment plants with a combined capacity of 7.2 million litres a day, he said.
Temple development and restoration works worth ₹34 crore have been initiated, while ₹2 crore has been allocated for restoration of the tank at the Kunti Madhavaswamy Temple.
Health and waste management
Pawan said mobile cancer-screening vehicles would be introduced to improve access to screening services in the constituency.
Waste-management infrastructure is also being expanded, with facilities designed to process about 40 tonnes of wet waste a day, he said.
Earlier in the day, Pawan visited the Sri Sitaramaswamy Temple at Chebrolu and participated in morning religious services. Officials said about ₹90 lakh had been sanctioned in two phases for temple development, including a mandapam, chariot shed, annadanam hall and yagasala.
Welfare assistance distributed
The deputy chief minister distributed safety equipment and life jackets to 30 fishermen and handed over house-regularisation pattas to beneficiaries.
Students who performed well in Class 10 examinations received laptops, while other students were given school bags. Self-help groups were also provided loan cheques.
Representatives of farmers' groups met Pawan and expressed their appreciation, presenting him with a traditional plough.
Pawan also urged Jana Sena leaders to maintain their focus after assuming office and called for continued coordination among coalition partners. He said the needs of the public should take precedence over the aspirations of political leaders.
He asked party leaders and elected representatives to remain focused on basic infrastructure, welfare delivery and development projects.
MLAs Pantham Nanaji and Bathula Balaramakrishna, district collector Harendhir Prasad, Rural Water Supply officials Gayatri Devi and Hari Ram Naik, other officials and public representatives attended the programmes.
