Andhra Pradesh leaders urge balance between development and resource protection

In Andhra Pradesh, leaders and advocacy groups are calling for a balanced approach to industrial and infrastructure development to ensure environmental and resource stability.

Bheemili MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao has urged the state government to reconcile developmental needs with Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) and Forest law restrictions. He noted that regulatory objections have stalled essential projects, including a proposed ₹15-crore ecology park at Sagar Nagar Beach and basic amenities for devotees at the Kalabhairava Swamy Temple. Rao emphasized that while environmental protection is vital, regulations should not obstruct public infrastructure or tourism growth.

Simultaneously, the Andhra Pradesh Development Forum (APDF) has cautioned against the rapid expansion of mega AI data centres in the Visakhapatnam region. T Lakshminarayana of the APDF warned that the state must prioritize the water and electricity needs of local residents and existing industries, such as the Vizag Steel Plant, before committing vast resources to high-tech corporate projects. The forum requested that the government publish white papers detailing the specific land, water, and energy requirements for all proposed AI initiatives.