Guntur (Andhra Pradesh)/New Delhi | October 4, 2026 | Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shri 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 2.0 at an event in Burripalem village of Guntur district. In the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Chouhan also laid the foundation stone for the country’s first pilot housing project using 3D concrete printing technology, comprising 177 houses at a cost of ₹14 crore. 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, are working together to accelerate the state’s development across all sectors and make it the number one state in the country. The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Civil Supplies Nadendla Manohar, Minister for Housing and Information Kolusu Parthasarathy, Minister for Tourism 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 officials from the Central and state governments, and thousands of farmers, rural residents and women.

Centre increases housing allocation from 76,000 to 3 lakh houses

Highlighting the Centre’s commitment to meeting the housing needs of Andhra Pradesh, Shri Chouhan said the initial allocation proposed by officials was only 76,000 houses. However, following Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s request to ensure that every poor family in the state had a permanent home, the allocation was increased to 3 lakh houses. “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 added that Naidu had also sought another 6 lakh houses. Assuring the Chief Minister of the Centre’s continued support, he said, “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.”

3D concrete printing to deliver durable houses in six months

Describing the 3D concrete printing housing project at Burripalem and Obulnayudupalem as a major step towards modernising rural housing, Chouhan said the ₹14-crore pilot project would significantly reduce construction time, costs and labour requirements. The project will use advanced machinery and 3D concrete printing technology to construct 177 houses, with construction expected to be completed within six months. The houses are designed to offer greater durability and a longer lifespan compared to conventional construction methods.

Centre supports Amaravati, Polavaram and infrastructure development

Referring to the state’s political and developmental history, Chouhan said Andhra Pradesh had been left without a capital following the division of the state in 2014. He said the Modi government had passed legislation in Parliament recognising Amaravati as the sole permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh and had extended special financial assistance of ₹15,000 crore for its development. Chouhan also highlighted the Polavaram irrigation project, describing it as a lifeline for the state. He said the project, which had faced delays under the previous government, was now progressing with 100% grant assistance from the Centre. He added that the proposed Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport would further strengthen connectivity and support the state’s economic growth.

‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ strengthens farmers’ income; 60 lakh Lakhpati Didis targeted

Highlighting the state’s efforts to improve farmers’ incomes, Chouhan said the Centre’s annual assistance of ₹6,000 under the PM-KISAN scheme, combined with the Andhra Pradesh government’s ₹14,000 assistance under the ‘Annadata Sukhibhava’ scheme, would provide farmers with ₹20,000 annually. He said Andhra Pradesh had the potential to emerge as the country’s leading horticulture hub, with a focus on 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, expanding livelihood opportunities and strengthening women’s financial independence. He also announced 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 a platform for women-led self-help groups to showcase their products and expand market access.

‘If I am MP’s Mama, I am also AP’s Mama’: Chouhan greets people 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 for its rich 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. Seeing the enthusiasm, honesty and passion of the people here, I can only say that I truly wish to meet you again,” he said, drawing an enthusiastic response from the gathering.

Chouhan praises Pemmasani’s grassroots connect and Naidu’s leadership

Chouhan expressed particular happiness at visiting Burripalem, the ancestral village of Union Minister of State Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani. Praising Pemmasani’s commitment to public service and his connection with people at the grassroots, he said he had initially wondered whether someone who had returned from the United States would understand rural life and development. “However, seeing his close connect with the people, his spirit of service and his clarity of purpose, I was truly impressed. Babu has a remarkable ability to identify talent and bring capable people into public service,” he said. Describing Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu as a dynamic, dedicated and decisive leader, Chouhan credited him with establishing Andhra Pradesh as a major IT hub. He said Naidu’s vision was now driving the development of Amaravati as a centre for artificial intelligence, quantum technology, data centres and advanced manufacturing.

Chandrababu Naidu thanks Centre for housing support

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu thanked Chouhan for his support and described him as a beloved ‘Mama’ not only for the people of Madhya Pradesh but also for the people of Andhra Pradesh. “Shivraj Singh Chouhan is a people’s leader who has set an exceptional record through good governance and public service in Madhya Pradesh. When we raised the issue of providing permanent homes to the poor in Andhra Pradesh, he immediately increased the allocation from around 75,000 houses to 3 lakh, winning the hearts of the people of the state,” Naidu said. He added that the NDA government was committed to ensuring a permanent roof over every poor family and that the state required a total of 9 lakh houses. Referring to Chouhan’s assurance, Naidu said the remaining 6 lakh houses would also be sanctioned by the Centre as soon as the first phase was completed. Expressing confidence in the state’s development trajectory, Naidu said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with the continued support of Chouhan, Andhra Pradesh would emerge as the country’s number one state in infrastructure, agriculture, advanced technology and rural development.

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