North Andhra Forum seeks statutory council, ₹8,000 crore for irrigation and development

Hanumanthu Lajipathirai, Chairman of the North Andhra Development Advisory Forum and former Vice-Chancellor of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar University–Srikakulam, has urged the State government to establish an exclusive Regional Council for North Andhra with statutory powers and allocate ₹8,000 crore for the completion of long-pending irrigation and other key development projects in the region.

In a press release issued on Sunday, Mr. Lajipathirai stressed that the large-scale migration from North Andhra, including that of farmers, could be significantly reduced if crucial irrigation projects such as Sujala Sravanthi, Vamsadhara Phase-II, and Jhanjavati were completed without further delay. These projects, he said, would help ensure sustainable livelihoods and revive the local economy.

Recommending the formation of a North Andhra Regional Council, he said the body should be empowered to oversee and prioritise development activities specific to the region. All local Ministers, MPs, MLAs, and MLCs could serve as ex-officio members to enable coordinated decision-making and stronger representation. The council should have the authority to review ongoing projects, monitor progress, and address region-specific challenges, he added.

Mr. Lajipathirai also called for the council to investigate the closure of agro-based industries—particularly sugar and jute mills—in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, which have negatively affected the rural economy. While Visakhapatnam city has experienced rapid growth, he pointed out that other areas within the district remain underdeveloped. To promote inclusive and balanced growth, the Forum plans to hold a series of roundtable conferences across districts and divisional headquarters to gather public input on health, education, and infrastructure needs. Mr. Lajipathirai said equal development across all regions can be achieved only through continuous monitoring and a thorough understanding of local priorities.