N. Chandrababu Naidu

In November 1998, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then prime minister of India and Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the HITEC City (nickanamed Cyberabad) by opening the Cyber Towers, a landmark building in Hyderabad.[48] In anticipation of the growth of technology in the future, his government also concentrated on providing infrastructure such as roads, safety and resilience, transportation, telecommunications, IT parks and five-star hotels for the delegates' meetings and accommodation and the HITEX International Convention and Exhibition Center.[49]

Naidu once coined the slogan "Bye-bye Bangalore, hello Hyderabad" to further this aim and his government allotted lands and laid the foundations for major IT parks such as L&T Infocity Ascendas Park, Cyber Gateway, Raheja Mindspace Madhapur IT Park, and CyberPearl IT Park[50] to partake in the IT industry boom. Naidu, at a press conference, discussed his plan to develop the state of Andhra Pradesh by making the major cities showpieces for foreign investment, especially in "key sectors such as information technology, biotechnology, healthcare, and various outsourcing services"[51] and gave a brief PowerPoint presentation to Bill Gates[52] that convinced him to establish Microsoft Corporation Research and Development (R&D) in Hyderabad, the company's second-largest research and development campus outside the United States, a significant milestone in Hyderabad's bid to become an information technology hub.[53]

In 2001, the Naidu government declared the creation of the Cyberabad Development Authority (CDA) as a special enclave for the location of IT firms, research institutions and allied services around the existing HITEC City area in Hyderabad. Spread over an area of 52 km2, in the western periphery of the city covering the townships of Madhapur, Gachibowli, Kondapur, Manikonda, and Nanakramguda, CDA CDA was conceived as a self-contained enclave providing premium infrastructure, such as gated residential housing, intelligent buildings, shopping malls, and transport facilities among others.[54]

According to several national and international surveys, Hyderabad became an IT Hotspot of India in 2002 and Hyderabad became ranked number one in the city competitiveness compared of major cities in India to attract businesses.[55] The economic reforms and new policy initiatives taken by the Naidu government in creating HITEC City provided a boost to Hyderabad's urbanisation and, with big tech industry jobs in hand, has increased consumer purchasing power, leading to massive real estate developments, gated residential apartments, food and restaurants, intelligent business offices, cinema, and shopping malls in the area[56] and Naidu's efforts to make HITEC City India's first and largest cybercity while today Cyberabad is a big technological project in Hyderabad, which emerged as the backbone of Telangana state's economy.[57]

Naidu in discussion with students as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

in 1999, Naidu established the Pharma City, an original, state-of-the-art biotechnology park in the country to the north of Hyderabad and promoted Genome Valley[58][59] to leading multinational pharmaceutical companies like Novartis Pharma India, Shantha Biotechnics, Bharat Biotech, Biocon, Biological E. Limited, Jupiter Biosciences, and also requested other global IT companies like IBM, Dell, HSBC, Oracle Corporation to move to Hyderabad, making presentations to global CEOs and convincing them to invest and establish offices in Hyderabad.[8][60]

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (Shamshabad Airport) is an initiative of Chief Minister Naidu.[61][62] When Hyderabad was attracting global investments the then operating Begumpet Airport was unable to handle air traffic. To promote the planned development of the area around the international airport, the Naidu government declared a special development area and called it as Hyderabad Airport Development Authority (HADA). Naidu led government acquired 5,495 acres of land for the airport in 2003.[61][62] The airport was built on public private partnership basis, where only land is provided by the government, but entire construction cost and planning has to be taken care by Grandhi Mallikarjuna Rao (GMR Group) and Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad in exchange of 76% stake in airport.[61] The land lease and state share holder agreement was completed in 2003.[62][61] Central concession agreement was signed by Dr.Manmohan Singh in December 2004. The airport construction has started and completed between 2005 and 2008 by GMR.

Other Infrastructure

In 2003, Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transport System, which began construction in 2001,[63] was opened to the public under the Naidu Government.[64] A joint venture between the Government of Andhra Pradesh and the South Central Railway, The Phase-I was flagged off with the first MMTS train at Secunderabad railway station by the Deputy Prime Minister L. K. Advani[65] while Naidu inaugurated its second leg.[66] Over an operational length of 43 km, spanning 26 stations, the system operates over three major routes, Falaknuma–Lingampalli, Hyderabad–Falaknuma and Hyderabad–Lingampalli.

On 1 October 2003, Naidu survived a land mine blast by People's War Group (PWG) near Alipiri tollgate, within the vicinity of Alipiri police station. A total of 17 claymore mines were planted, of which 9 exploded. Naidu lost consciousness upon the blast, but escaped death with a fractured collarbone. The blast occurred at 16:12 IST when Naidu was travelling in a convoy to the Venkateswara Temple in the Tirumala for the annual Brahmotsavam festival. State Information Minister Bojjala Gopala Krishna Reddy, TDP MLAs Chadalawada Krishnamurthy and R. Rajasekhara Reddy were among the injured.[67][68][69]

The assassination attempt has uncovered failures in the security of Naidu.[68][70] The police deflected the fault saying they were not equipped with the technology to detect claymore mines. Post the incident, Chittoor district's superintendent of police was suspended, while the district Collector, deputy inspector general of police of Anantapur Range and the chief of intelligence were among those who were transferred from their posts. The police were criticised for not improving security after a similar assassination attempt in 1998 by PWG, where claymore mines were placed to target Naidu in Karimnagar district. The mines were detected in time. However, PWG exploded the mines anyway injuring the policemen that were present at the site. Naidu's government was criticised for losing control over bureaucracy and the police.[68][69][71]

The Telugu Desam Party failed to retain power after two successive wins, losing to the Indian National Congress after winning only 47 of 294 seats in the state assembly and five of 42 in the Lok Sabha. While many of his ministers lost, Naidu won decisively in Kuppam and the loss was due to the government prioritising agriculture and farmers less in the annual budget than industrialisation and IT service-based improvements.[72]

The TDP formed the Grand Alliance with support from the TRS Party who pitched for a separate state of Telangana, but Naidu lost to the Indian National Congress. Naidu's party won only 92 of 294 seats in the state assembly and 6 of 42 in the Lok Sabha.[73]

During the third term as the chief minister, Naidu's government has taken up several welfare schemes, some of which include NTR Bharosa, bike ambulances, Mukhyamantri Yuvanestham and Pasupu Kumkuma.

NTR Bharosa scheme (transl. NTR's assurance), started in January 2015, aims to provide pension of ₹1,000 per month to more than 40 lakh people who are in their old age, widow, physically challenged, toddy tappers and weavers.[76][77] In 2017, people afflicted with chronic kidney disease were given pension under this scheme.[78] In January 2019, Naidu increased the pension to ₹2,000.[77] The succeeding YSRCP government, which won the 2019 elections, has renamed it to YSR Pension Kanuka scheme (transl. YSR's gift of pension) and incremented the pension disbursed to ₹2,250.[79]

In March 2018, Naidu's government introduced bike ambulances.[80][81] These ambulances provide medical care in the remotest parts of the state where these vehicles transport patients who require emergency care from the interiors of the forest to roads, especially in areas inaccessible by regular ambulances.[82] This has been a boon in the tribal areas where the access by road is limited.[83][81] Naidu was the Minister of Medical and Health at that time.[82]

Mukhyamantri Yuvanestham (transl. Chief minister is youth's friend), which aims to provide financial assistance to unemployed youth, was launched in October 2018.[84] The succeeding YSRCP government has discontinued the scheme.[85]

Pasupu Kumkuma (transl. Turmeric and Kumkuma), a welfare scheme aimed to provide financial help to women in self-help groups, is launched in February 2019. Under the scheme, each beneficiary would be provided ₹10,000 and a smartphone. In April, in response to a petition filed in Delhi High Court, the Election Commission of India has stated that the money transfer under the scheme does not violate the election code setup for the 2019 elections.[86]

The foundation for the city was laid at Uddandarayunipalem on 22 October 2015. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, Naidu as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, the Vice-President of India and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu; then Governor E. S. L. Narasimhan; the Japanese minister for economy trade and industry, Yōsuke Takagi; and the Singaporean Minister for Trade and Industry, S. Iswaran; laid the foundation for the city.[87]

Naidu during a meeting at Secretariat, Amaravati

At a summit, Naidu said his ambition was to make Amaravati one of the happiest cities, encompassing the highest standards of livability and infrastructure with a thriving economic environment.[88] Amaravati is based on trust and partnership with no single cash transaction between farmers and government in an agreement of returnable developed plots. It is the world's largest successful voluntary land pooling, with 27,956 farmers offering 33,920 acres within three months, launching the project. The Land Pooling Scheme is now widely acknowledged as a global best practice without any land agitation from local people taken by Naidu's government.[89]

Naidu during a trial run at Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project, West Godavari district

During this tenure, Naidu inaugurated Godavari–Krishna river interlink in September 2015, which became the country's first rivers interlinking project.[90] It is named as Pavitra Sangam (transl. holy confluence) and drains Godavari river's flood water into Krishna river 174 km (108 mi) away at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada. Pattiseema Lift Irrigation Project lifts the water from Godavari river and pumps into Polavaram right canal, which carries it and merges into Krishna river.[91] Pattiseema project, was developed within a year, between March 2015 and March 2016. The first pump was inaugurated in September 2015, completing the connection of Godavari with Krishna. The project entered Limca Book of Records as the "first and fastest such irrigation project in the country to be completed in time, without any budget enhancements".[92] The Comptroller and Auditor General of India found irregularities with the Pattiseema project in its audit report. In the report, released during an Assembly session in March 2017, it criticised the government of awarding the project's contract more than 20% excess over the estimated value and slammed the government for improper planning.[93] The location of Pavitra Sangam is being developed with infrastructure required to promote tourism.[94][95]

In September 2015, Naidu inaugurated Thotapalli irrigation project, which he laid foundation in November 2003 when he was the chief minister of undivided Andhra Pradesh. The project, constructed on Nagavali river for irrigational needs of Srikakulam district, was completed at a cost of ₹775 crores, against an estimated cost of ₹450 crores in 2003.[96]

In August 2017, Naidu inaugurated the first phase of Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation Scheme.[97] The two-phased project aims to bring Godavari water into Yeleru reservoir, thereby serving the needs of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and other northern districts of the state.[98] In January 2019, Naidu inaugurated the second phase of the project.[99] The succeeding YSRCP government has reviewed the project and made modifications in February 2020, thereby resulting in a savings of more than ₹50 crores.[100]

In September 2017, Naidu inaugurated the Muchumarri Lift irrigation scheme.[101] The project, originally sanctioned in 2007, lifts Krishna river water from Srisailam Reservoir near Muchumarri, Kurnool district, and pumps to Handri-Neeva project and K. C. Canal.[102][103] The Telangana government has raised objections over the project stating the drinking water crisis in its state was not addressed.[103]

In November 2018, Naidu laid foundation to Godavari–Penna rivers interlinking project at an estimated cost of ₹83,796 crore in five phases. The project aims to bring Godavari water to Penna river through Krishna river.[104] The project which was conceived several decades ago, once completed, would cater to the needs of drinking water and irrigation in Rayalaseema region.[105] Irrigation experts raised questions over the project, asking how the project would sustain when there is not enough water.[106] The construction work has started in February 2019, with a request from Naidu to complete the project within 12 months while the actual deadline was 24 months.[107]

Following the report by the Joint Inspection Committee setup in January 2019, the National Green Tribunal has issued a stay order in August and restricted the succeeding YSRCP government from operating the Purushothapatnam Lift Irrigation project, Pattiseema project and halted the construction of Godavari–Penna rivers interlinking project, until it acquired environmental clearance.[108][109]

Naidu laid foundation to Kurnool Airport in June 2017. Following the trial runs at the end of 2018, he has inaugurated the airport in January 2019.[110][111] At this time, the runway and terminal buildings were constructed, however, works related to air traffic control were not completed. In March 2021, the airport is re-inaugurated by the succeeding Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and commercial operations began.[112][113]

In July 2018, Naidu announced project Gandiva and Panchjanya. Project Gandiva aims to develop infrastructure for sports and train sportspersons and achieve medals at international events such as Olympic Games. He also laid foundation to Amaravati International Sports Complex, which includes a world-class stadium, to be constructed in the suburbs of Vijayawada at an estimated cost of ₹60 crore.[114] Anil Kumble, Karnam Malleswari, Ashwini Nachappa and Koneru Humpy were among the guests at the inauguration.[115] Project Panchjanya aims to identify physically fit teenagers across the state and train them in various sports.[116]

In 2018, Naidu offered ₹100 crore to farmers who win a Nobel Prize in natural farming under the Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF). His government set a goal of bringing all the cultivable-land of about 8,000,000 hectares (20,000,000 acres) in the state into ZBNF by 2024, making every village a bio-village.[117]

The 2015 cash-for-votes scam was a political scandal, the second scandal of its kind since the 2008 cash-for-votes scandal. It started off when the TDP leaders of Telangana state were caught in video footage, aired in the media, offering bribes to a nominated MLA, Elvis Stephenson, for his vote in the 2015 elections of the Telangana Legislative Council. The TDP MLA Revanth Reddy was arrested by the Telangana Police when he was offering ₹50 lakhs to Stephenson. Reddy was then presented before the court and was sent to jail. Similarly, the phone conversation, which was quoted as the voice of Naidu with Stephenson was aired in the news media.[118][119]

The TDP alleged that the scandal was a political vendetta, doctored by the Telangana state government under the direction of K. Chandrashekhar Rao, the chief minister of Telangana, alongside the YSR Congress Party.[120] The High Court of Judicature at Hyderabad granted bail to Revanth Reddy and two other co-accused due to lack of substantial evidence.[121]

In August 2016, Alla Ramakrishna Reddy filed a petition with a report from a forensic laboratory which confirmed the voice of Naidu in the tape to be genuine. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court order the Telangana division of the ACB to investigate on the report.[122]

Naidu was not included in the preliminary charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in May 2021 in connection with the case.[123]

Naidu took the initiative to select K. R. Narayanan from the Dalit community as President of India. In 2002 Vajpayee then hoped to give the post of President to a Muslim. Naidu at the time played a leading role in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and proposed the name of eminent scientist A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as its presidential candidate.[124] Naidu as kingmaker appealed to the opposition Congress, the left and other national and state parties to support the Kalam candidacy at this crucial juncture after the 2002 Gujarat riots happened in the Narendra Modi government's tenure where the nation was racked by violence and there was a need to send the right signals to the international community and within the country with the support of Abdul Kalam. Naidu described the Dr. Kalam as the best choice besides making an outstanding contribution in the field of science and technology and said he was a humble, patriotic and non-political personality.[125] Naidu was instrumental in Krishan Kant's, then governor of Andhra Pradesh, elevation to the vice-president's post in July 1997 when the United Front was in power at the Centre and Naidu was the UF convenor.[126][127]

Naidu delivered a keynote address at an event titled "Financing Sustainable Agriculture: Global Challenges and Opportunities", organised on the sidelines of the annual United Nations General Assembly. Naidu discussed the ZBNF program at the United Nations conference, starting his speech in Telugu and said it has been the most proud and unforgettable experience of his life. Naidu said that the state government has been encouraging ZBNF to reduce costs and risks in farming, more and safe, nutritious food, reverse migration to villages and enhance soil health to safeguard our collective future. He said microbial seed coating, bio-inoculants, cover crops, mulching, soil aeration, and zero chemicals will promote the living soil concept. He said a target was set to convert villages into bio-villages over a five-year period. The scale at which AP has implemented ZBNF has gathered praise and recognition internationally. He said that the zero budget farming will help to reach sustainable development goals.[132][133]

As part of this, Naidu attended the Sustainable Development Impact Summit organised by the World Economic Forum and Bloomberg Global Business Forum held in New York, 2018. Naidu, as Chief Minister, launched the findings of the project, "Accelerating Sustainable Production" in Andhra Pradesh and reiterated the state's commitment to achieving most of the SDGs by 2022. The report highlighted the progress achieved under the SDG framework in its first two years and pointed out areas that demand extra attention. The previous year's report about SDG's was also presented at the High-Level Political Forum, hosted at the United Nations headquarters, New York in July 2017.[134][135]

The CII organised the 22nd edition of CII Partnership Summit in 2016 with a partnership with the State Government of Andhra Pradesh, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion and Ministry of Commerce and Industry at APIIC Ground, Harbour Park, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Chandrababu Naidu signed 331 memoranda of investment proposals worth Rs 4.78 lakh crore into Andhra Pradesh and suggested steps to promote exports. It is expected that these understandings produce more than 10 lakh jobs in the next five years in the state.[136] And in 2018 CII Summit approaching through innovative ways Naidu promote Sunrise Andhra Pradesh as the destination for business in India with attracting new investors as part of a summit with displaying the products that are manufactured in the State, including Kia cars, Foxconn cellphones, Apollo tyres, and others. "The exhibits have included everything that reflects the achievements, desires, and potential of the State.[137] Three Summits from 2016-2018 attracted delegates from 40 – 50 countries, witnessed cumulative participation of over 10,000 delegates, and served as the platform for execution of cumulative 1,437 MoUs with a committed investment of Rs 13.35 lakh crores (USD 200 billion) and committed employment of 24.60 lakhs (2.46 million).[138]

An approach with a people-first motto, the Naidu government strives to provide an agile and efficient public service delivery system benefiting nearly 50 million citizens in a 360-degree life cycle approach through its Real Time Governance(RTG) initiative. With the help of RTG, Andhra Pradesh can now swiftly resolve citizen grievances and monitor infrastructure projects, Crime and incidents, weather and climatic events across the state in real time, leveraging technology services. Keeping technology in its mind and citizen centricity in its heart, Real Time Governance is set to revolutionise governance in Andhra Pradesh, catalysing government operations to create a safer, more efficient and sustainable society. The Real Time Governance model is the most powerful and intellectual initiative by the Naidu government to make insightful decisions that vibrantly transform citizen services from pensions to street lights on/off time, that garnered global recognition and AP Real Time Governance facility has received Hitachi Transformation People's Choice Award.[139] And RTG is able to analyse big data sets operates from State Command and Communication Centre housed in the Secretariat Complex at Amaravati gathered from various data input sources from CC cameras, drones, biometric augmented technology and virtual reality, machine learning technology, Internet of Things (IoT), etc., adopting the most advanced technology of international standards for governance[140]

• India's Glocal Leader, Tejaswini Pagadala[142]
• Manasulo Maata, Sevanthi Nenon, An Autobiography of Chandrababu Naidu[143]
• Nirantar Pragathi Ke Path Par Chandrababu Naidu (in Hindi), Dr. Inagati Lavanya[144]

• New Modern Economy Management in Andhra Pradesh: A Case Study of Sri Honorable Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Naidu by authors N. Sree Ramulu and Morusu Siva Sankar[145]