AP Assembly Approves High Court Bench in Kurnool, CM Naidu Outlines Comprehensive Development Plan for Rayalaseema

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly has adopted a resolution to establish a High Court Bench in Kurnool, fulfilling a key promise made during the NDA’s election campaign. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced the decision in the Assembly on Thursday, emphasizing that the resolution, approved by the Cabinet, will be sent to the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Centre for final approval.

Naidu also assured the Assembly that the offices of the AP Lokayukta and the AP State Human Rights Commission (APSHRC) will remain in Kurnool and will not be relocated to Amaravati.

Highlighting the government's commitment to balanced regional development, Naidu affirmed that key cities like Visakhapatnam, Kurnool, and Tirupati would see further progress. Reflecting on past challenges, he criticized the previous YSRCP regime for stalling development through its controversial three-capitals policy, asserting that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) had always championed Amaravati as the sole capital.

Naidu attributed Rayalaseema’s foundational progress to the vision of TDP founder NT Rama Rao, citing significant irrigation projects like Telugu Ganga, Handri-Neeva, and Nagari-Galeru, which brought Krishna water to the region. He emphasized the transformative potential of linking the Godavari and Krishna rivers, alongside the completion of the Polavaram Irrigation Project, to address water scarcity.

Rayalaseema’s infrastructure achievements were also highlighted, including the rapid development of the Gollapalli reservoir, which facilitated Kia Motors' establishment in Anantapur, dramatically reshaping the district’s industrial landscape. Naidu projected further growth, underscoring the proximity of key airports—Bengaluru to Anantapur, Hyderabad to Kurnool, and Chennai to Chittoor—as catalysts for economic development.

The region boasts four airports, with significant upgrades made during TDP's tenure. The Orvakal airport, constructed in Kurnool, and the expansion of Tirupati airport are prime examples. Additionally, two industrial parks have been sanctioned, one at Orvakal and another at Kopparthi in Kadapa, with a combined development fund of ₹5,000 crore. A 300-acre drone hub is also being established in Orvakal to promote technological innovation.

Naidu underlined the TDP’s focus on education, with institutions like IIT Tirupati, the Central University in Anantapur, and Urdu University in Kurnool bolstering the region's academic landscape. Tirupati, in particular, is being developed into a major education hub.

Promising to fulfill the commitments made during HRD Minister Lokesh's Yuva Galam Padayatra, Naidu assured subsidies for farmers adopting drip irrigation and emphasized the government's dedication to Rayalaseema’s comprehensive development. "Rayalaseema will witness wonders with our focus on irrigation, industrial growth, and education," he declared.