PNS|Panyam (kurnool dist)
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has announced that free bus travel for women across Andhra Pradesh will be rolled out from August 15, marking Independence Day with a major welfare initiative.
Speaking at the Swarnandhra–Swachh Andhra programme held in Panyam constituency, Kurnool, Naidu administered an oath, urging citizens to keep their homes and surroundings clean and to increase greenery across the state.
The Chief Minister stressed that public participation is crucial in transforming Andhra Pradesh into a clean and green state. He reaffirmed his government’s resolve to make the state garbage-free by October 2, in honour of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth anniversary.
After visiting the C-Camp Rythu Bazaar, Naidu interacted with farmers and sanitation workers, stating that cleanliness was the foundation for realising the vision of Swarnandhra. He announced that monthly cleanliness drives will be held on the third Saturday across villages, towns, offices, hospitals, industries, and schools.
A month-long yoga campaign from May 21 to June 21 will be held ahead of International Yoga Day, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to participate in Visakhapatnam. Emphasising waste-to-energy initiatives, Naidu revealed that 55 lakh metric tonnes of the 85 lakh tonnes of legacy urban waste left by the previous government have been cleared. Plants are already functional in two cities, with others planned in Rajahmundry, Vijayawada, Nellore and Kadapa.
Over 1 crore women from DWCRA self-help groups will be engaged in awareness programmes and compost production from wet waste. Dry waste will be recycled in industries. Under the ‘Palle Pushkarini’ scheme, village ponds will be cleaned and developed with walking tracks.
Highlighting Rayalaseema’s transformation, Naidu said factionalism had been eliminated and the region was now progressing as a hub for green energy and horticulture, with 18 lakh hectares under cultivation, set to double in five years.
He reiterated support to farmers through increased drip irrigation coverage.
Naidu laid the foundation stone for a Rs 50 lakh urban park and announced Rs 50 crore for roads in Panyam constituency. He also promised safe drinking water for every household in Kurnool district.
Citing Rs 4.96 lakh crore investments through 76 industrial projects, Naidu said over 4.5 lakh jobs would be created. He also reiterated ongoing welfare measures such as pensions up to Rs 15,000, free gas cylinders under Deepam 2, Ann Canteens, DSC teacher recruitment, and Rs 15,000 under ‘Talli ki Vandanam’.
Naidu concluded by stating that his government will make Andhra Pradesh poverty-free by 2029, balancing welfare with economic growth.
