Kuppam will be model constituency for India: Andhra CM Naidu

Kuppam (Andhra Pradesh), Jul 2 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said Kuppam, his home constituency, would be developed as a model for the entire country.

Addressing a public meeting at Andhra Pradesh Model School in Tumsi, Shantipuram mandal of Chittoor district, Naidu said the TDP-led NDA government was steering the state from "destruction to development." "I am here as part of the first step towards good governance. We will transform Kuppam into a model constituency for the nation," he said, after launching several development and welfare programmes under the 'Swarna Kuppam' (Golden Kuppam) project.

Naidu announced that Handri-Neeva irrigation works, taken up for Rs 3,890 crore, would ensure water supply to the entire constituency this year.

He said development projects worth Rs 1,292 crore were underway in Kuppam, of which Rs 129 crore worth had been completed. As part of the 'Swarna Kuppam' initiative, all roads are being upgraded to cement and bituminous standards.

Noting that Kuppam lacked a distinct identity, Naidu said the government would establish "Brand Kuppam" and create marketing avenues for local products.

The Chief Minister also announced Rs 850 crore for developing an airport in Kuppam and assured fair compensation for landowners who part with their land.

Naidu called for solar panels on every rooftop in the constituency, adding that generous subsidies under the 'PM Surya Ghar scheme' would make households self-reliant in power. "Once this scheme is implemented, there will be no need to pay electricity bills," he added.

He also announced a parallel road from Kuppam to Hosur and a four-lane road from Palamaner to Krishnagiri to boost connectivity and economic activity.

Naidu said Rs 50 crore had been earmarked for temple development in Kuppam and pledged to restore all temples in the constituency. He further announced plans to roll out digital health cards in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Tata Group.

During his visit, Naidu inaugurated 30 km of canal lining under the Handri-Neeva project, completed at Rs 47 crore, along with 46 km of cement roads and 65 km of bituminous roads built at Rs 42.5 crore.

He also distributed LPG connections to 1,000 women and pensions to 3,041 beneficiaries.

Under the 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana', solar panels were installed for 7,488 Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe households at Rs 21 crore.

Naidu flagged off 130 electric autorickshaws for door-to-door waste collection, making Kuppam the first assembly constituency to fully implement electric vehicles for garbage management. The constituency is also enforcing a zero-landfill policy through recycling at its Common Treatment Center.

In addition, the CM inaugurated Advanced Life Support ambulances under Paytm’s CSR initiative and launched the Care and Grow programme across 400 Anganwadi centres.

To promote tourism, he inaugurated a three-star resort and distributed assistive devices to 1,387 persons with disabilities.

Stressing the importance of financial discipline, Naidu said welfare schemes should follow economic growth, questioning the practice of borrowing for welfare.

Naidu is on a two-day visit to Kuppam. On Thursday, he is scheduled to inaugurate the TATA DiNC Centre at Kuppam Area Hospital, followed by a party cadre meeting at 2.30 pm. He will return to his residence in Undavalli, Guntur district, after concluding the visit. PTI MS STH SSK