Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth nearly ₹18,000 crore in Andhra Pradesh. The projects cover infrastructure, renewable energy, highways and semiconductor manufacturing. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister also inaugurated the ₹5,700 crore Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district.

Addressing a public gathering in Vizianagaram, PM Modi said the projects reflect Andhra Pradesh's fast-paced development. "Development projects worth approximately Rs 18,000 crore have been launched, inaugurated, and had their foundation stones laid here... These development works symbolise the rapid pace at which Andhra Pradesh is progressing today."

The Prime Minister also praised Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for giving equal importance to infrastructure development and cultural heritage. Referring to the airport inauguration and the Dhimsa dance performance organised earlier in the day, Modi appreciated the Chief Minister's approach. He said, "It is a hallmark of Chandrababu that he has embraced both aspects. On one hand, the construction of an airport, a facility that reaches for the skies, and on the other, the setting of a world record for the Dhimsa dance by our tribal sisters. I particularly appreciate this vision of Chandrababu."

More than 13,500 tribal women and students performed the traditional Dhimsa dance to welcome the Prime Minister. The performance created a world record and highlighted the state's tribal culture during the event.

Speaking about the expansion of regional air connectivity, PM Modi highlighted the achievements of the Centre's UDAN scheme. He said the programme has made air travel more accessible for people from different economic backgrounds. "It is not just the number of airports that has increased over these twelve years. Thanks to our 'UDAN' scheme, people from even poor families are getting the opportunity to fly... Just recently, the government launched the second phase of the UDAN scheme, with an expenditure of Rs 29 thousand crore allocated for it."

Among the major announcements was the foundation stone for Andhra Pradesh's first semiconductor manufacturing facility. The Prime Minister laid the foundation for the ₹460 crore ASIP Semiconductor Project at Visakhapatnam. ASIP Technologies Pvt Ltd is developing the project in partnership with APACT of the Republic of Korea. According to a Press Information Bureau (PIB) release, the facility has received approval under the India Semiconductor Mission.

The semiconductor plant will manufacture nearly 96 million semiconductor chips every year. The project is expected to strengthen domestic chip production and encourage the growth of supporting industries linked to semiconductor manufacturing. The facility also marks an important step in expanding India's electronics manufacturing ecosystem.

PM Modi also launched several renewable energy transmission projects aimed at strengthening the country's green energy network. He laid the foundation stone for the transmission system linked to the Kurnool-IV Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) Phase-I, which has a generation capacity of 4.5 GW. POWERGRID is implementing the project through a Special Purpose Vehicle with an investment of around ₹5,550 crore.

The Prime Minister also inaugurated the transmission system for the Kurnool Wind Energy Zone and Solar Energy Zone in Andhra Pradesh. The project, divided into Part A and Part B, has been completed at an estimated cost of around ₹3,550 crore. He also inaugurated the transmission scheme for the Solar Energy Zones in Ananthapuram and Kurnool. POWERGRID implemented this project at a cost of more than ₹820 crore.

According to the PIB release, these transmission systems will help evacuate electricity generated from renewable energy zones in Kurnool and Ananthapuram. They will also transmit power to consumers across the country through the National Grid. The projects will support India's clean energy goals and reduce dependence on fossil fuel-based power generation.

The Prime Minister also dedicated several National Highway projects to the nation and laid the foundation stone for new road infrastructure worth over ₹1,880 crore. The projects include the four-lane access-controlled greenfield highway connecting Recherla to Guruvaygudem on NH-365BG and another four-lane greenfield highway connecting Guruvaygudem to Devarapalle on the same route.

He also inaugurated the four-lane Tadipatri Bypass on NH-67 and laid the foundation stone for a high-level bridge at Lingasamudram on the Penchalakona-Yerpedu section of NH-565. These road projects aim to improve transport infrastructure across the region and strengthen connectivity between major cities.

The highway projects are expected to reduce traffic congestion in Vijayawada and several nearby urban centres. They will also improve road safety, shorten the travel distance between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad and reduce travel time for commuters. The projects are expected to improve the movement of people and goods while supporting regional economic growth.

The day's programme also included the inauguration of the Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram. The airport has been developed under the public-private partnership model by GMR Airports. It has the capacity to handle six million passengers every year and is expected to begin commercial flight operations from August 17.

With the launch of infrastructure, renewable energy, semiconductor and highway projects, the Centre has announced another major investment in Andhra Pradesh's development. The initiatives aim to improve connectivity, strengthen industrial growth, expand clean energy infrastructure and support economic development across the state.