Centre backs A.P.’s semiconductor push, approves rail links for nine ports

Union Minister for Railways and Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw assured Andhra Pradesh of the Centre’s support for its efforts to emerge as a global hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing.

He said the Centre would support research and development, skill training and capacity building in the semiconductor sector. He also promised cooperation in realising the State’s vision for artificial intelligence (AI) and approved the required connectivity for nine seaports to improve freight movement to hinterland areas.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu put forward several railway projects before Mr. Vaishnaw, including the Vijayawada bypass railway line, estimated to cost ₹3,197 crore; the Kovvur-Bhadrachalam railway project (₹2,860 crore); the Ongole-Donakonda railway line (₹1,800 crore); and the Anakapalli-Kothavalasa railway bypass (₹2,190 crore).

As part of the Vijayawada bypass project, Mr. Naidu sought the construction of two new bridges across the Krishna river. He also proposed implementing the Kovvur-Bhadrachalam project under a cost-sharing arrangement.

He called for four additional railway lines to augment capacity on the Vijayawada-Itarsi and Kharagpur-Vijayawada routes and sought the development of a high-speed rail corridor between Amaravati and Visakhapatnam.

Mr. Naidu also discussed setting up offices of railway public sector undertakings in Amaravati and sought new trains connecting Visakhapatnam with Bengaluru and Tirupati. Mr. Vaishnaw agreed to the proposal for introducing a Vande Bharat sleeper train between Visakhapatnam and Bengaluru via Tirupati.

Earlier, Mr. Naidu paid a courtesy call on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed various issues. Union Minister of Civil Aviation K. Rammohan Naidu accompanied him.