Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday handed over the first instalment of 3 lakh houses worth ₹3,600 crore to Andhra Pradesh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) 2.0, and laid the foundation stone for the country’s first pilot housing project using 3D concrete printing technology.
The event was held at Burripalem village in Guntur district in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The 3D-printed housing project will comprise 177 houses at a cost of ₹14 crore, with construction expected to be completed within six months.
Addressing thousands of people at the gathering, Chouhan said the Centre and the Andhra Pradesh government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, were working together to accelerate development across the state and make Andhra Pradesh the country’s number one state.
Housing allocation increased from 76,000 to 3 lakh
Chouhan said the initial allocation proposed by officials was only 76,000 houses, but the Centre increased it to 3 lakh following Naidu’s request to ensure that every poor family in Andhra Pradesh had a permanent home.
“Our ministry officials had informed me that Andhra Pradesh was eligible for only 76,000 houses. But Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu insisted that every poor family in the state should have a permanent home and requested more houses. With the blessings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have sanctioned 3 lakh houses instead of 76,000,” he said.
Chouhan said CM Naidu has sought another 6 lakh houses. He assured the state government that the Centre would continue to support its housing requirements.
“I told Babu that the entire Government of India is with you, and I am also with you. Complete the construction of these 3 lakh houses, and we will sanction another 3 lakh, followed by a further 3 lakh. Every poor family in Andhra Pradesh will have a permanent house,” he said.
3D printing technology to speed up rural housing
Chouhan described the pilot 3D concrete-printing project at Burripalem and Obulnayudupalem as an important step towards modernising rural housing.
The ₹14-crore project will use advanced machinery and 3D concrete-printing technology to construct 177 houses. The technology is expected to reduce construction time, costs and labour requirements, with the houses scheduled to be completed within six months.
The houses are also designed to provide greater durability and a longer lifespan compared with conventional construction methods.
Centre backs Amaravati, Polavaram projects
Highlighting the Centre’s support for Andhra Pradesh’s infrastructure development, Chouhan referred to the state’s situation following its bifurcation in 2014.
He said the Narendra Modi government had passed legislation in Parliament recognising Amaravati as the sole permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh and provided ₹15,000 crore in special financial assistance for its development.
Chouhan also highlighted the Polavaram irrigation project, describing it as a lifeline for Andhra Pradesh. He said the project, which had faced delays under the previous government, was now progressing with 100 per cent grant assistance from the Centre.
He added that the proposed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport would further improve connectivity and contribute to the state’s economic growth.
Farmers to receive ₹20,000 annual assistance
Chouhan highlighted measures aimed at increasing farmers’ incomes in the state, saying farmers would receive ₹6,000 annually under PM-KISAN and ₹14,000 under Andhra Pradesh’s Annadata Sukhibhava scheme, taking the combined annual assistance to ₹20,000.
He said Andhra Pradesh had the potential to become a leading horticulture hub, particularly in fruits, flowers, vegetables and medicinal crops.
On women’s economic empowerment, Chouhan said 23 lakh women in Andhra Pradesh had already become Lakhpati Didis through self-help groups. The NDA government aims to increase this number to 60 lakh, he said.
He added that the national Saras Mela would be organised in Andhra Pradesh on October 15, marking the first time the event would be held outside Delhi. President Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate the event, which will provide women-led self-help groups an opportunity to showcase their products and expand market access.
Chouhan greets gathering in Telugu
Beginning his address with chants of “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” and “Sri Venkateswara Bhagwan Ki Jai”, Chouhan greeted the gathering in Telugu and praised Andhra Pradesh’s heritage, knowledge, scientific achievements and talent.
Paying tribute to the land of Tenali Ramakrishna, he said the Telugu language was “sweeter than honey” and was gaining recognition across the country.
“If I am the Mama of Madhya Pradesh, I am also the Mama of Andhra Pradesh. Serving the people is a form of worship for me,” Chouhan said, drawing an enthusiastic response from the gathering.
Chouhan praises CM Naidu, Pemmasani
Chouhan expressed particular happiness at visiting Burripalem, the ancestral village of Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.
He praised Pemmasani’s grassroots connect and commitment to public service, saying he had been impressed by his understanding of rural life and development.
Chouhan also described CM Naidu as a dynamic, dedicated and decisive leader and credited him with establishing Andhra Pradesh as a major IT hub.
He said CM Naidu’s vision was now driving the development of Amaravati as a centre for artificial intelligence, quantum technology, data centres and advanced manufacturing.
CM Naidu thanks Centre for housing support
CM Naidu thanked Chouhan for the Centre’s support and described him as a beloved “Mama” of not only Madhya Pradesh but also Andhra Pradesh.
CM Naidu said Chouhan had increased the state’s housing allocation from around 75,000 houses to 3 lakh after the state raised the issue of providing permanent homes to poor families.
He said the NDA government was committed to ensuring a permanent roof over every poor family and that Andhra Pradesh required a total of 9 lakh houses.
Referring to Chouhan’s assurance, CM Naidu said the remaining 6 lakh houses would also be sanctioned by the Centre once the first phase was completed.
He expressed confidence that, under the guidance of PM Modi and with the Centre’s continued support, Andhra Pradesh would emerge as the country’s leading state in infrastructure, agriculture, advanced technology and rural development.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Andhra Pradesh Ministers Nadendla Manohar, Kolusu Parthasarathy and Kandula Durgesh, BJP state president P.V.N. Madhav, Rajya Sabha MP Bhashyam Ramakrishna, MP Lingamneni Ramesh, MLC Alapati Rajendra Prasad, Housing Corporation Chairman Bathula Tataiah Babu, senior Central and state government officials, farmers, rural residents and women.
