Andhra Pradesh Budget 2024: Major Investments to Transform Tirupati and Chittoor Districts with Focus on Irrigation, Industry, and Education

The latest Andhra Pradesh budget has made transformative investments in Tirupati and Chittoor districts, focusing on essential sectors like irrigation, industry, education, and urban infrastructure. These allocations aim to address long-standing challenges in the region, providing a much-needed boost for economic growth and agricultural productivity.

Water scarcity, a critical issue in the drought-prone areas of Chittoor, has received a substantial allocation. The budget earmarks ₹25,300 crore for three major irrigation projects that have faced delays in recent years. Notably, ₹2,879.24 crore has been allocated to the Telugu Ganga project, including ₹266 crore for the Somasila-Swarnamukhi link canal, which will improve water access for farmers in Tirupati and Nellore. Additionally, the Galeru-Nagari Sujala Sravanthi project has received a record ₹2,438.94 crore, bringing hope to farmers. The Handri Neeva project, crucial for Chittoor’s Piler and Palamaner areas, has been allocated ₹2,014.23 crore, marking a significant step toward water security.

In an environmental boost, the budget also includes ₹297 crore for dredging Pulicat Lake, aiming to enhance the local ecosystem and support fishing communities by increasing fish populations.

On the industrial front, a strategic ₹210 crore has been allocated to the Chennai-Visakhapatnam Industrial Corridor. This corridor will position the region as an investment hub, attracting industries that can drive sustained economic growth. Urban infrastructure in Tirupati has also received a major lift, with ₹350 crore allocated to improve services, including ₹20 crore for Smart City projects, ₹100 crore for wastewater recycling under the Swachh Bharat Mission, and ₹75.94 crore for solid waste management.

The education sector in Tirupati and Chittoor will see nearly ₹2,500 crore dedicated to expanding higher education institutions. Sri Venkateswara University has been granted ₹226.39 crore for facility upgrades and research. Other allocations include ₹171.72 crore for S.V. Veterinary University, ₹272.34 crore for Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam, ₹27.91 crore for Dravidian University, and ₹19.52 crore for IIIT Sri City.

With a comprehensive plan spanning irrigation, industry, education, and urban development, Andhra Pradesh is taking bold steps to transform Tirupati and Chittoor into thriving regions of economic, educational, and environmental growth.