The Rise of Navyandhra: A New State In Its Own Right
The Rise of Navyandhra: A New State In Its Own Right
When CM Chandrababu Naidu took oath as the leader of residuary Andhra Pradesh, he also took on a whole host of challenges. For a state that has lost Madras, Kurnool and now Hyderabad, progress and growth will be a reality if the leadership is alert about what Navyandhra needs right now. From a massive power deficit to the development of higher learning institutions, Andhra Pradesh now has to carve out a new future without Hyderabad. Andhra Pradesh now begins its new innings with a deficit budget of around 13,000 to 15,000 rupees.
Developing new infrastructure is all about walking the talk. While farm loans are being waived to ease financial burdens, it may also help if state specific financing schemes and special concessions would be available to the farmers so that they can adjust better to the challenge of change. Substantial assistance is needed from the Centre to bolster higher educational and research institutions in the state as well.
The Centre has promised to provide institutions of educational excellence such as IITs, IIMs and Central Universities. New research institutes will also be set up for AP. Currently, there are 4 major universities in AP namely Andhra University, Nagarjuna University, Sri Venkateswara University and NTR Health University.
On the power front, quick action is needed. Andhra Pradesh now has a installed generation capacity of 10,500 MW and another 2,500 MW in the pipeline. About 2,500 MW of installed capacity is in the private sector. As there is shortage of fuel supply from the KG basin, a power deficit is the result as most of the gas based plants are operating in full capacity. Green technologies and renewable sources of energy could be the solution AP is looking for.
If the Polavaram project is being seen as a solution to AP's power problems, think again. The deforestation, submergence and rehabilitation that result are in themselves contentious issues. Already, Rs. 6,000 crore has been spent on this project and another 10,000 crores are needed. The question of the rehabilitation of tribal people in Khammam and West Godavari will also rise.
Water sharing promises to raise its ugly ahead as AP and Telangana have yet to resolve the issue of how the water from the Krishna and Godavari are to be divided. Andhra Pradesh has a strong agricultural industry. Unfortunately, media reports and experts indicate that 70% of the AP agriculture is based on the Indian monsoon which is becoming increasingly erratic.
In such a situation, irrigation schemes that are on a small, but effective scale can work wonders. The logistics of big projects also mean more delays while the state needs to solve its problems ASAP if it needs to ride the development train. With a population of 49.4 million and 25 MPs to the LS, each political leader will have to don multiple thinking caps to counter problems such as lack of power and irrigation facilities. Rather than just exploiting the mineral wealth of Rayalseema and the KG basin, AP can use its numbers to its advantage by promoting more worker intensive industries which will generate growth and employment. If the CM uses multiple strategies to counter the challenges, limitations and obstacles will be effectively demolished as Navyandhra marches towards progress.
