Andhra Pradesh prepares third rural development programme

Andhra Pradesh is preparing to launch the third edition of its Palle Panduga rural development programme on September 29, according to The Hindu. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Konidela Pawan Kalyan are scheduled to launch the programme in Ramapuram village in Varikuntapadu Mandal, in the drought-prone Udayagiri constituency of SPSR Nellore district.

Udayagiri legislator Kakarla Suresh said the programme would include rural roads covering 8,571 kilometres, with an estimated outlay of ₹5,838 crore. It would also address drainage systems and village administrative infrastructure, including panchayat office buildings. The MLA said works worth ₹12,000 crore under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission-Gramin would also be launched.

He said the programme would extend rural employment benefits and create community assets. According to the report, the first phase included 4,000 kilometres of cement-concrete roads, 22,500 livestock shelters, 15,000 water-storage units and 100,000 farm pits. The second phase involved 53,382 works worth ₹6,787 crore across 13,326 panchayats.

The third phase is intended to complete ongoing projects through panchayat-level grants. It will also provide drinking-water connections under the Jal Jeevan Mission and address pending road projects, including gravel roads to farms. District authorities and ruling NDA leaders have been preparing the launch venue.

Arrangements include ground levelling, shelters, drinking water and parking. Local organisers said they were mobilising a large crowd from mandals across the constituency.