Andhra Pradesh's Infrastructure Triumph: A Conversation with N Chandrababu Naidu at Davos
In a captivating interview with NDTV's Editor-in-Chief Rahul Kanwal at the World Economic Forum in Davos, N Chandrababu Naidu, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, highlighted the state's remarkable infrastructure achievements. Naidu's vision for Andhra Pradesh is to become a global investment hub, and he believes their infrastructure has set a benchmark that many other states are still catching up to.
Naidu proudly stated, 'We've built supreme infrastructure' and pointed to projects like outer ring roads and large-scale road widening as testaments to their long-lasting quality. He noted that even decades later, many states are still adopting these models, showcasing the enduring strength of Andhra Pradesh's infrastructure development.
The state's infrastructure success is not confined to a single city or state, Naidu explained. Instead, it has become an integral part of India's overall development story. He emphasized that Andhra Pradesh's infrastructure is now a national asset, contributing to the country's growth and prosperity.
When asked about competition among larger states, Naidu dismissed the idea of zero-sum rivalry. He advocated for interstate cooperation, stating, 'Why should we think of competition? India is a big nation. We are all friends and colleagues. Everybody will work together. Ultimately, if any state wins, the country wins.'
A key aspect of Andhra Pradesh's strategy is its incentives for investors, particularly in major projects like Google's proposed data center. Naidu clarified that these incentives, such as electricity concessions and GST reimbursements, are structured transparently and are not indiscriminate giveaways. He emphasized, 'I'm not giving money from the exchequer.'
Naidu also addressed land allocation, a frequent point of political criticism, drawing from his experience in Hyderabad. He explained how land values have skyrocketed due to development, infrastructure, and economic activity. He stated, 'If you bring development, infrastructure, industry, and economic activity, land value automatically increases.' The benefits extend beyond individual companies to surrounding communities through higher land valuations, job creation, and ancillary growth.
Naidu's leadership in promoting IT-led growth in the mid-1990s was another topic of discussion. He recalled creating engineering colleges and attracting IT companies from California. Initially met with resistance, policies like telecom deregulation and mobile technology promotion ultimately benefited the entire country, as Naidu pointed out, 'The country is benefiting. The people are benefiting.'
Reflecting on his global engagements at Davos, Naidu emphasized the importance of creating wealth to empower people. He described the current period as an 'inspiring and interesting time' for India and states like Andhra Pradesh. Naidu drew parallels between the rise of Silicon Valley and the emergence of Indian technology hubs, attributing the success of Hyderabad to its thriving ecosystem.
Naidu's goal is to replicate and expand this ecosystem-driven model in Andhra Pradesh, particularly in Visakhapatnam. He believes that economic activities will foster a culture and create employment opportunities over time. In just 18 months, Andhra Pradesh has attracted substantial investments, with commitments expected to generate a significant number of jobs.
Furthermore, Naidu highlighted emerging sectors like quantum technology, green hydrogen, and green ammonia, emphasizing the role of renewable energy investments in reducing power procurement costs and stabilizing electricity prices.
