Pawan Kalyan Launches ₹6,787 Cr Rural Mission

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan has officially launched the second phase of Andhra Pradesh’s ambitious rural transformation program, Palle Panduga 2.0. The initiative, inaugurated in Sivakodu village of Konaseema district, is set to inject a massive investment of ₹6,787 crore into rural infrastructure, marking a significant push for development across the state’s villages.

This comprehensive program aims to cover 13,326 Gram Panchayats and execute 53,382 development works. The underlying goal is straightforward: to ensure that every village has essential facilities and every rural household achieves prosperity. The sheer scale of this second phase is intended to double the positive impact achieved during the initial run of Palle Panduga, which successfully completed projects worth over ₹2,500 crore, including the laying of 4,000 kilometres of concrete roads.

A core focus of Palle Panduga 2.0 is improving rural connectivity and agriculture support. Plans include constructing 8,571 kilometres of new roads and renovating existing ones, a project estimated to cost ₹5,838 crore alone. This will be a game-changer for farmers and daily commuters, ensuring smoother transport of goods and better access to markets.

Furthermore, the program is deeply committed to strengthening the livestock and storage infrastructure vital for the agricultural community. It will see the creation of 25,000 Mini Gokulams (mini cattle sheds/storage units) at a cost of ₹365 crore, along with 157 larger Community Gokulams. This addresses the long-standing need for better facilities for farmers to manage their produce and livestock.

Infrastructure for better sanitation and water management is also a priority. The action plan includes constructing 58 kilometres of ‘magic drains’ and undertaking 15,000 new development works within the panchayat limits. These efforts are designed to resolve waterlogging and sanitation issues, directly improving the health and living standards of rural residents. Buildings for Village Panchayat offices and the DPRC are also planned to strengthen local governance.

Mr. Pawan Kalyan, who also holds the Panchayat Raj and Rural Development portfolio, emphasized that the government is fully committed to timely implementation, transparency, and accountability in all these works. He mentioned that the necessary funds for this huge undertaking will be mobilized from various central schemes and national/international financial bodies, including NABARD, the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank (AIIB), MGNREGS, and the 15th Finance Commission grants.

Addressing the youth at the launch, the Deputy Chief Minister stressed that genuine, long-term development is the key to creating employment and lasting change, urging them to focus their energy on productive citizenship. He highlighted the commitment of the current alliance government to sustainable development, differentiating its approach from the previous administration, which he said left behind significant debts and neglected infrastructure like pothole-ridden roads. The vision for Palle Panduga 2.0 is to make Andhra Pradesh’s villages models of self-reliance and progress.¹ The Konaseema region itself has been sanctioned an additional ₹100 crore, reflecting the government’s focus on targeted regional development. This massive project signals a fresh start for rural Andhra Pradesh, aiming for a significant overhaul of village infrastructure over the coming years.