KUPPAM, Andhra Pradesh, September 22, 2026 (Journalist File) — Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday virtually launched urban development works worth ₹11,359 crore across 123 municipalities and municipal corporations, calling for cities and towns to become engines of economic growth.
Launching the projects from Kuppam, Naidu said the scale of investment marked a significant phase in the state's municipal development and called on elected representatives and officials to focus on improving urban living conditions alongside economic activity.
He said urban areas were increasingly becoming centres of development and urged municipal administrations to plan infrastructure around the changing needs of residents.
Focus on livability and weekend economy
Naidu said towns should be developed to offer cleaner, healthier and more pleasant living environments while also creating conditions for stronger local economic activity.
He pointed to the growing importance of the “weekend economy” in urban areas, saying people were spending a significant share of their income on weekends and on transportation. He asked officials and public representatives to study these consumption patterns and plan urban facilities accordingly.
The chief minister said housing and transportation were among the major expenses for urban households and cited TIDCO housing and women-oriented programmes such as Stree Shakti as part of the government's efforts to address urban needs.
He also called for the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department to evolve into an “Urban Prosperity Department”, with a broader focus on economic development.
TIDCO housing, drinking water and sanitation
Naidu said construction of TIDCO houses across the state would be completed by 2027.
In Visakhapatnam, housing pattas have already been distributed to 28,500 families, while the government is prepared to issue additional pattas in areas where there are no objections, he said.
The chief minister directed officials to complete the Jal Jeevan Mission with the objective of providing safe drinking water around the clock to urban residents.
He said building permissions were being processed faster and several reforms had been introduced in urban development.
Under the Swachh Andhra–Swarnandhra programmes, the government was working to improve cleanliness in towns. About 143 lakh tonnes of waste had been removed across the state, he said.
Two waste-to-energy plants are currently operational, while construction of four more plants is expected to be completed soon. Naidu directed officials to scientifically process solid waste through recycling and ensure that municipalities remain free of garbage and untreated sewage.
₹50,000 crore urban project pipeline
Naidu said proposals had been prepared for urban development works worth approximately ₹50,000 crore across the state. Of these, works worth ₹22,330 crore are already under implementation, while projects worth another ₹17,000 crore are expected to begin within six months.
The state is using the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM) for urban development works for the first time, he said. The model is intended to undertake major infrastructure projects without placing the full financial burden on urban local bodies.
Under the current programme, works worth ₹7,469 crore will be undertaken across 123 municipalities, while projects worth ₹3,890 crore are planned within the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation area.
The programme includes:
- ₹4,656 crore for roads
- ₹88 crore for central medians
- ₹247 crore for street lighting
- ₹509 crore for parks
The projects together cover approximately 2,165 kilometres of roads, 502 parks, 210 kilometres of central medians, 391 kilometres of street-lighting infrastructure and 300 kilometres of sewerage works.
Target of ‘Swarn Municipalities’ by 2047
Naidu set a long-term target of developing every municipality in the state into a “Swarn Municipality” by 2047, and asked municipal commissioners, elected representatives and officials to work toward the objective.
He congratulated Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Ponguru Narayana and officials for taking up the large-scale urban infrastructure programme.
Narayana participated in the programme from Visakhapatnam, while senior urban development officials attended the event in Kuppam. Elected representatives and municipal commissioners from urban local bodies across the state participated through video conference.
