Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh visited New Delhi to meet with several Central ministers to advocate for the state’s projects. He met with Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to request help in expediting the development of the Duggirajapatnam port, which has a potential to attract ₹26,000 crore in investments and create 35,000 jobs. The port project is planned on 2,000 acres with a ₹3,500 crore central investment and is expected to include a shipbuilding and repair hub.
Lokesh also discussed the progress of 110 Sagarmala projects in AP, worth ₹1.14 lakh crore, which are aimed at promoting port connectivity and industrialization. He requested ₹200 crore from the central government to upgrade wharfs and slipways and sought an additional ₹127.5 crore to establish new passenger routes and cargo terminals. He also met with Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari to seek fast-track approvals for highway expansions and with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to discuss a BPCL refinery-cum-petrochemical complex.