AP Cabinet Clears Rs 4,563-Crore Cyclone Damage Estimate

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Thursday approved 48 agenda items covering cyclone relief, major industrial investments, Amaravati infrastructure, irrigation and renewable energy projects. It also decided to extend immediate assistance to farmers and others affected by severe cyclone Arnab.

According to sources, the Cabinet reviewed the extensive damage caused by the cyclone and the ongoing relief and restoration operations. Naidu informed the ministers that preliminary estimates put the damage to crops and property at Rs 4,563 crore. A central team is scheduled to visit the State on Friday to assess the damage.

The Chief Minister directed officials to prepare comprehensive damage reports and issue compensation orders without delay. The Cabinet also expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the cyclone.

As an immediate relief measure, the government will deposit Rs 6,000 into the bank accounts of eligible farmers on Friday. The amount comprises Rs 2,000 under the PM-Kisan scheme from the Centre and Rs 4,000 from the State government. Naidu announced the release of Rs 3,120 crore towards the assistance.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan praised Naidu for continuously monitoring the situation and keeping the administration on alert. He said advance precautions and coordinated response measures had helped reduce casualties and property damage.

Recalling the devastating Diviseema cyclone, which claimed thousands of lives, Naidu said technological advances and improved preparedness had strengthened the State's ability to protect people. He also referred to Rayalaseema's history of factional violence and the coastal region's recurring cyclone threats, saying the government had worked to eliminate factionalism and promote horticulture in Rayalaseema.

Fisheries Minister K. Atchannaidu highlighted the damage to fishing boats, while Pawan Kalyan sought early compensation for fishermen who had lost boats, nets and other equipment. Naidu assured the Cabinet that assistance would be provided with support from the Centre and the State government.

The Cabinet approved contracts worth Rs 1,925.32 crore, excluding taxes and duties, for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire safety, lift and other systems in the General Administration Department (GAD) Tower and Towers 1 to 4 of the Amaravati government complex.

The contracts include Rs 448.31 crore for the GAD Tower, Rs 768.89 crore for Towers 1 and 2, and Rs 708.12 crore for Towers 3 and 4. The proposals authorise the managing director of AGICL to award the works to the lowest bidders.

The Cabinet also approved a quantum hardware manufacturing park spread across about 250 acres in Amaravati's Quantum Valley.

The Cabinet cleared Rs 698.90 crore for the continuation of three lift irrigation schemes in Krishna district. It also approved incentives for compressed biogas plants in Chittoor and Eluru districts and a 500 MW wind power project in Kurnool district.

The Cabinet approved incentives for Steel Exchange India Ltd's proposed Rs 5,194-crore steel plant in Vizianagaram district, which is expected to generate 3,000 jobs.

It also cleared a Rs 3,700-crore integrated silicon crystal and wafer manufacturing facility proposed by Renaissance Solar and Electronic Materials.

A revised investment proposal of Rs 2,606 crore by Reliance Consumer Products for a packaged beverages and drinking water facility at Orvakal in Kurnool district was approved.

Land allocations and incentives were also cleared for several other projects, including those proposed by Shree Cement and Jai Raj Ispat, as well as a hyperscale data centre park in Visakhapatnam district.

Other decisions included land allocations for industrial parks, a school and hostel for fisherwomen in Prakasam district, tourism projects in Kakinada and Anantapur, and arrangements for paddy procurement during the 2026-27 kharif marketing season.