CM Chandrababu Showcases ₹68,598 Crore Welfare Reach, Bets on Nellore's Industrial Rise

Showcasing the Andhra Pradesh government's efforts to combine welfare with economic development, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said more than ₹68,598 crore has been distributed as welfare pensions since the coalition government assumed office. He asserted that the state is simultaneously strengthening social security, attracting investments and accelerating infrastructure development to drive long-term growth.

Addressing a public meeting at Punnapavaripalem village in Chillakur mandal of Nellore district , Naidu said the government is currently disbursing pensions to 62.2 lakh beneficiaries every month, with a monthly outlay of ₹2,712 crore . He described welfare pensions as a vital support system for vulnerable sections of society and one of the government's most significant commitments.

As part of the Pedala Sevalo programme, the Chief Minister personally distributed NTR Bharosa pensions to beneficiaries and interacted with residents to understand their concerns. He said the government had spent the last two years rebuilding institutions and restoring systems that had weakened under the previous administration.

Naidu also outlined an ambitious development roadmap for Nellore, which he said is poised to emerge as a major industrial and logistics hub. A key pillar of that vision is the proposed BPCL refinery near Ramayapatnam , a mega project expected to attract investments of nearly ₹1 lakh crore . Along with expanding highways, railway infrastructure and port connectivity, the refinery is expected to create jobs, boost industrial activity and strengthen the region's economic profile.

Highlighting the government's focus on water security, the Chief Minister said nearly ₹24,000 crore has been spent on irrigation projects. He noted that a special calendar has been prepared to complete 36 major irrigation projects , including the long-pending Veligonda Project , which is crucial for providing drinking and irrigation water to several districts.

Referring to the impact of El Niño , Naidu said reduced rainfall and lower river inflows have posed challenges this year. However, healthy storage levels in reservoirs, aided by last year's inflows into the Krishna and Godavari rivers, have helped maintain water availability. He also reiterated support for the proposed Godavari–Cauvery river-linking project , describing it as a long-term solution to water shortages in southern India.

The Chief Minister urged farmers to cultivate crops such as maize to support the country's growing ethanol economy , saying biofuels could help reduce dependence on imported energy while creating new opportunities for farmers.

Naidu further announced that the foundation stone for the Rayalaseema Steel Plant in Kadapa district would be laid on Thursday, with steel production targeted by 2028 . Taking an indirect swipe at the previous YSRCP government , he claimed his administration had succeeded in retaining investments and attracting industries to Andhra Pradesh while maintaining a development-focused approach free from political vendetta.

He expressed confidence that with sustained welfare spending, infrastructure expansion and large-scale industrial investments, Nellore district could emerge as one of India's leading centres for growth and wealth creation in the years ahead.