Naidu and Pawan Kalyan promise to transform Udayagiri into industrial and tourism hub

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, along with Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, BJP State president P.V.N. Madhav, MA&UD Minister Ponguru Narayana and District Collector Himanshu Shukla, unveils the plaque of Palle Panduga 3.0 programme at Kakolluvaripalli village, Varikuntapadu mandal in Udayagiri constituency, SPSR Nellore district on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: HANDOUT After launching the ‘Palle Panduga 3.0’ programme at Ramapuram village in the Varikuntapadu mandal of SPSR Nellore district on Tuesday (September 29, 2026), Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan promised to transform the Udayagiri constituency into an industrial hub and a major tourism destination.Sanctioning several projects to the fluoride-affected Udayagiri region, the Chief Minister announced allotment of funds for several development works including ₹85 crore for constitution of Somasila high level canal phase-I, clearance for Defence Manufacturing Hub, and uninterrupted power supply for compressed biogas (CBG) plant.He also promised to allocate funds for Somasila dam safety and maintenance, Krakaturu Distributary, and completion of Rajavolu Lift Irrigation Scheme to meet drinking water and irrigation requirements in the Vinjamuru region. He further said that ₹100 crore will be sanctioned to provide safe drinking water to 189 fluoride-affected villages in the Kanigiri region.The Chief Minister assured to resolve the drinking water issues in Oletivari Palem, Gudur, and Lingasamudram mandals through the Rallapadu Reservoir. He also said that the government would extend support for the establishment of an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) at Kanigiri-Ballipalle region.Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced that the government has completed development works worth ₹121 crore in Udayagiri through the ‘Palle Panduga’ initiative. He said to provide a permanent solution to the fluoride issue in the constituency, the government is set to undertake 381 works at a cost of ₹52 crore—covering the Duttalur, Jaladanki, Kaligiri, Kondapuram, Sitaramapuram, Udayagiri, Varikuntapadu, and Vinjamuru mandals—by reviving the previously stalled “Sujala Sravanthi” scheme.Mr. Kalyan said, “We are sanctioning funds worth ₹2.5 crore for a road spanning 4-km that leads to Udayagiri Fort. To develop this fort into a tourist destination, the Tourism Department is preparing a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and we are requesting the Centre to provide the required funds under the Swadesh Darshan and Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) schemes.”“We are also preparing plans to develop Udayagiri Hill into a heritage and eco-tourism destination. A Craft Wood Bank has already been established in Udayagiri, making wood varieties such as Neem, Bikki, Kaldi, and Palabark available. This is highly beneficial for local artisans renowned for crafting wooden cutlery,” he said.Responding to an appeal made by the students of Gajjalavaripalli school via social media, Mr. Kalyan assured the construction of the road. Similarly, when the residents of Gogulapalli Gram Panchayat in Kavali constituency urged for road facilities to transport their salt products, he facilitated the construction of a road spanning 1.9 km at a cost of ₹3.5 crore. Published - September 29, 2026 09:05 pm IST