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

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu along with Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, BJP State President PVN Madhav, MA&UD Minister Ponguru Narayana and District Collector Himanshu Shukla unveil the plaque of Palle Panduga 3.0 program at Kakolluvaripalli village, Mandal Mandal Varikuntapadu in Nelludayagi SP on Tuesday. | Photo credit: HANDOUT

After launching the ‘Palle Panduga 3.0’ program at Ramapuram village in 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 Udayagiri constituency into an industrial hub and a major tourist destination.

After approving several projects for the fluoride-affected Udayagiri area, the Chief Minister announced the allocation of funds for several development works, including ₹85 crore for construction of the Somasila High Level Canal Phase I, clearance for the Defense Manufacturing Hub and uninterrupted power supply to the Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant.

He also promised to allocate funds for the safety and maintenance of Somasila Dam, distribution of Krakaturu and completion of the Rajavolu Lift Irrigation Scheme to meet the drinking water and irrigation requirements of the Vinjamuru region. He further said that ₹ 100 crore will be sanctioned for providing safe drinking water to 189 fluoride affected villages in Kanigiri region.

The Chief Minister assured to solve drinking water problems in Oletivari Palem, Gudur and Lingasamudram mandals through Rallapadu dam. He also said that the government would extend support for setting up an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in the Kanigiri-Ballipalle region.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan announced that the government has completed development work worth ₹121 crore in Udayagiri through the ‘Palle Panduga’ initiative. He said to provide a permanent solution to fluoride problem in the constituency, the government is ready to undertake 381 works at a cost of ₹ 52 crore – covering Duttalur, Jaladanki, Kaligiri, Kondapuram, Sitaramapuram, Udayagiri, Varikuntapadu and Vinjamurivant” earlier suspended Sujala Sujala scheme

Mr. Kalyan said, “We are approving funds worth ₹2.5 million for a 4-km road leading to Udayagiri Fort. To make this fort a tourist destination, the tourism department is preparing a detailed project report (DPR) and we are requesting the Center to provide the required funds under Swadesh Darshan and Special Ass Capitalist Investments states.”

“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 to make available varieties of wood like Neem, Bikki, Kaldi and Palabark. This is very beneficial to the local artisans known for making wooden cutlery,” he said.

Responding to an appeal by students of Gajjalavaripalli School through social media, Mr. Kalyan assured the construction of the road. Similarly, when the residents of Gogulapalli Gram Panchayat in Kavali constituency insisted on road facility to transport their salt produce, he facilitated the construction of a 1.9 km road at a cost of ₹ 3.5 crore.

Published – 29 Sep 2026 21:05 IST