Government strengthening rural infrastructure with ₹8,000 crore: Andhra Energy Minister

The Coalition Government is taking rapid steps to strengthen the rural infrastructure across the State in line with the public needs, said Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Minister for Energy. He said this while touring extensively in Kanigiri of Markapuram district on Tuesday (January 20, 2026) along with local MLA Ugra Narasimha Reddy and Giddalur MLA Ashok Reddy.

He said, “The State government is investing ₹6,000 crore statewide to further strengthen the power supply system to meet the growing electricity demand. Under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, ₹2,000 crore has been released for Panchayat Raj for the development of the road network.”

The Minister said that strengthening the power sector, expanding rural road connectivity, and accelerating overall State development are the core objectives of the Coalition government. He informed that the government is making continuous efforts to develop the combined Prakasam district into an industrial hub.

To permanently address low-voltage issues, the government has constructed 250 substations so far at a cost of ₹800 crore, he said, directing the officials to ensure that all substations in the district are completed before the upcoming agricultural season. During the visit, he participated in several development programmes.

He inaugurated a CC road constructed at a cost of ₹1.30 crore in Kanigiri. He also laid the foundation stone for a 33/11 KV substation to be built at Murugummala in P.C. Palli mandal at a cost of ₹4 crore. He also inaugurated a road from Pedda Irlapadu to Malakonda constructed at a cost of ₹6 crore.

Criticising the previous government, Mr. Ravi Kumar alleged that the previous government has not even laid a single kilometre of road, but it had imposed a burden of ₹30,000 crore on the power sector. In contrast, the present government has reduced the True-Up charges by 13 paise and is bearing a financial burden of ₹4,000 crore to ensure that the DISCOMs remain stable.

He inspected the dilapidated Electricity Department Divisional Office building in Kanigiri. After observing the poor condition of the structure, he immediately held discussions with senior officials. Emphasising that modern infrastructure is essential to provide better services to the public, he directed the officials to complete the tender process for the new building within 30 days.

Later, the Minister inaugurated the statue of former CM late N. T. Rama Rao and a newly constructed bus shelter at Ayyavaripalli village in Pamuru mandal. He reiterated that village development is the foundation of State growth and assured that development works in the Kanigiri constituency will continue uninterrupted.