Mahabalipuram: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for stronger cooperation among the southern states, saying coordinated development across the region could play a major role in India’s economic growth and the country’s goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
Naidu made the remarks at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting held in Mahabalipuram near Chennai. The meeting, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, took up 24 issues involving the southern states.
Naidu Sees $10 Trillion Potential for South India
Naidu said the five southern states already contribute around 31% of India’s GDP and have the potential to collectively build an economy worth more than $10 trillion by 2047.
He pointed to the economic ambitions of individual states, including Andhra Pradesh’s target of reaching $2.4 trillion, Tamil Nadu’s $2.6 trillion goal and Karnataka’s plan to become a $1 trillion economy.
According to Naidu, closer coordination between the states will be important to achieve these targets.
Amaravati-Bengaluru-Chennai Bullet Train Proposed
Among the proposals put forward by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister was a bullet train corridor linking Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai through Kuppam.
Naidu said improved high-speed connectivity could create new economic opportunities and strengthen links between the three states.
He also suggested developing a shared logistics network, setting up dry ports and improving the connection between the southern power grid and the national grid.
A joint skill-development network involving universities and other educational institutions was also proposed.
Focus on Disaster Management and Tourism
Naidu called for a dedicated disaster management mechanism for the southern region. The proposed system could help states coordinate their response during cyclones, floods and other natural disasters.
He also pitched an integrated tourism and pilgrimage circuit covering destinations such as Tirupati, Srisailam, Kancheepuram, Madurai, Rameswaram and Mysuru.
The proposed circuit could also be connected with major pilgrimage destinations including Varanasi, Ayodhya and the Char Dham.
Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Issues Raised
The Chief Minister used the meeting to highlight several pending matters related to the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act.
Naidu said the division of institutions and other matters listed under Schedules IX and X of the Act remained unresolved even after 12 years.
He urged the Centre to speed up decisions on the division of assets, liabilities and institutions, along with other pending matters under Sections 56 and 66.
Push for Faster Infrastructure Approvals
Naidu also sought quicker approvals for several infrastructure and industrial projects in Andhra Pradesh.
These include the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, development of three airports and improved railway connectivity to Amaravati.
He also sought progress on proposals involving Dugarajapatnam port, a BPCL refinery, Metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, and rail connectivity to the Jindal Steel facility in Kadapa.
The Chief Minister acknowledged the Centre’s support for Andhra Pradesh and said 10 of the 11 promised national institutions had already been established. He also highlighted support for projects including Polavaram, the South Coast Railway Zone and Amaravati.
River Linking Proposed as Long-Term Water Solution
Water management was another major issue raised by Naidu.
He proposed transferring more than 500 TMC of surplus floodwater through a proposed Godavari-Krishna-Penna-Cauvery river-linking system. The initiative, he said, could benefit Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Naidu also called for the Ganga-Cauvery link to be considered as a national project and suggested a dedicated coordination mechanism for southern river basins.
Call for Faster Implementation of Zonal Council Decisions
Naidu said the Southern Zonal Council should play a larger role in resolving inter-state disputes and improving coordination between the Centre and southern states.
He emphasised that decisions taken through the council should be followed by faster implementation, arguing that better regional cooperation could help unlock South India’s economic potential and contribute to India’s broader development goals.
