Mahabalipuram: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for closer cooperation between the southern states, saying coordinated efforts could accelerate regional growth and contribute significantly to India’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Speaking at the 31st Southern Zonal Council meeting in Mahabalipuram near Chennai on Thursday, Naidu said the southern region had the potential to become a major economic powerhouse. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and discussed 24 issues concerning the southern states.
Southern Region Could Build $10 Trillion Economy
Naidu said the five southern states currently contribute around 31% of India’s GDP and could collectively build an economy exceeding $10 trillion by 2047.
He highlighted ambitious economic targets set by individual states, including Andhra Pradesh’s goal of becoming a $2.4 trillion economy, Tamil Nadu’s $2.6 trillion target and Karnataka’s aim of reaching $1 trillion.
According to Naidu, achieving these goals will require greater coordination rather than isolated development by individual states.
Proposal for Amaravati-Bengaluru-Chennai Bullet Train
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister suggested several joint infrastructure and development projects.
One of his key proposals was a bullet train corridor connecting Amaravati, Bengaluru and Chennai through Kuppam. He said such a project could strengthen connectivity and stimulate economic activity across Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Naidu also proposed developing a common logistics network, establishing dry ports and improving the integration of the southern power grid with the national electricity grid.
He further suggested creating a joint skill-development ecosystem involving universities and educational institutions across the region.
Joint Disaster Response System Proposed
Naidu stressed the importance of coordinated disaster management among southern states.
He proposed creating a dedicated southern disaster management task force so that states could jointly respond to floods, cyclones and other natural disasters instead of dealing with major emergencies independently.
He said stronger coordination would help ensure that assistance and resources reach affected areas more quickly.
Push for Integrated Tourism and Pilgrimage Circuit
Tourism was another major area highlighted by Naidu.
He proposed creating a large heritage, tourism and pilgrimage circuit connecting important destinations across southern India, including Tirupati, Srisailam, Kancheepuram, Madurai, Rameswaram and Mysuru.
He also suggested linking these destinations with major pilgrimage centres such as Varanasi, Ayodhya and the Char Dham.
According to Naidu, better connectivity between these destinations could boost tourism and create new economic opportunities.
Andhra Pradesh Raises Pending Bifurcation Issues
During the meeting, Naidu also raised several issues that have remained unresolved since the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.
He said the division of institutions listed under Schedules IX and X of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act was still incomplete, even 12 years after the state’s bifurcation.
The Chief Minister urged the Centre to expedite decisions concerning the distribution of assets, liabilities and institutions, along with other matters covered under Sections 56 and 66 of the Reorganisation Act.
Centre’s Support for Andhra Pradesh Projects
Naidu thanked the Union government for its support to Andhra Pradesh and said 10 of the 11 promised national institutions had already been established.
He highlighted central assistance for major projects such as Polavaram, the South Coast Railway Zone and Amaravati’s development.
He also sought faster approvals for projects mentioned under Schedule XIII, including the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor, three proposed airports and improved rail connectivity to Amaravati.
Among his other demands were approvals for the Dugarajapatnam port, BPCL refinery, Metro rail projects in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, and railway connectivity to the Jindal Steel facility in Kadapa.
Naidu Calls for Southern River-Linking Strategy
Water security was another key issue discussed by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister.
Naidu described river interlinking as a long-term solution to water-related challenges and proposed transferring more than 500 TMC of surplus floodwater through a proposed Godavari-Krishna-Penna-Cauvery linkage.
He said such a project could potentially benefit Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
Naidu also called for the Ganga-Cauvery river link to be taken up as a national project and proposed a dedicated coordination mechanism for southern river basins.
Southern Zonal Council Should Drive Cooperation
Naidu said the Southern Zonal Council should become a stronger platform for improving Centre-State coordination, resolving inter-State disputes and speeding up infrastructure projects.
He stressed that greater cooperation among the southern states could unlock the region’s economic potential and play an important role in India’s long-term development journey.
