AP CM conduct review meeting to overlook Infrastructure plans

In a review meeting on Saturday, the Chief Minister said that the second phase of power reforms will reduce electricity costs in the state by the next year. He conducted a review on the progress reports of the plans in infrastructure, in which he was informed that 20 per cent of the current power consumption is recorded in the agriculture sector.

He instructed the authorities to report to him within a week, with a study conducted on how to minimize the burden on consumers, and the extent to which solar power will slash the cost of electricity.

The Chief Minister urged the Panchayati Raj and Municipal departments to coordinate and enable real time information on water and electricity bills through AP Fiber.

Officials present in the meeting informed the Chief Minister that the Zoom Air Services will be launched from the end of July for the routes Delhi-Indore-Tirupati-Vijayawada-Mumbai and Vijayawada-Tirupati-Indore-Delhi.

The Chief Minister has urged to increase the services through Regional Connectivity Scheme and ensure that air connectivity is maximized within the state.

He also approved for direct flights from Vijayawada to Dubai, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

His plan is to enable a highly connected airway plan for the city of Amravati.

The Chief Minister said that the country’s total air traffic growth was 18 per cent and Andhra Pradesh accounted for 35 per cent.

He said that the runway and second terminal buildings at Vijayawada airport are urgently required to be completed and cargo services should commence.

The Chief Minister announced that the construction of Orvakalairport will be completed within 10 months, and the Machilipatnam Greenfield Airport must be completed soon.

The land acquisition problems regarding the Bhogapuram Greenfield Airport will be solved, so that the construction will be completed within one year.

He also said that helipads should be built in all towns and mandal headquarters.

The Chief Minister said that every year, air shows must be organized in Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Tirupati.

A task force will be set up to speed up the process of setting Andhra Pradesh up as a logistic hub with road connectivity, waterways, airways and harbour connectivity.

Officials said that the Sagarmala Project is being implemented in the state at a sanctioned amount of Rs. 1,30,000 crore, in which progress is steady to develop the road, rail, fisheries and industries.

Officials were suggested to write a letter to the Union Petroleum Minister regarding delay in setting up gas pipelines.

The construction of the Energy University in Anantapur at a budget of Rs. 400 crore and Logistics University in Kakinada at a budget of Rs. 350 crore will be completed by the end 2018.

The Chief Minister ordered for the universities to commence with the admission procedures and classes at the local temporary campuses, until then. ProfessorMantha was appointed as an advisor and Managing Director Kamalakara Rao said that the NREDCAPis theanchor agency for the setting up of the Energy University.