Sat Jan 04 19:08:16 UTC 2025: ## Andhra Pradesh CM Pushes for Visakhapatnam as Maritime Gateway

**Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh –** Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has called for the transformation of Visakhapatnam into a major maritime gateway for the state, leveraging the city’s existing infrastructure and the support of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command (ENC).

Addressing a gathering after witnessing a special operational demonstration by the ENC on Saturday, January 4th, 2025, Naidu highlighted the city’s potential. He was joined by his wife, grandson, the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, and Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the ENC.

Naidu emphasized the need for collaboration with the ENC to achieve key government goals, including establishing a drone technology hub in the state. He expressed regret at missing a past opportunity to utilize INS Viraat for tourism but reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing Visakhapatnam as both a tourism and financial capital.

The Chief Minister also pledged continued support for the Defence sector, recalling the TDP government’s role in bringing the INS Kursura Submarine Museum and the TU 142 Aircraft Museum to Visakhapatnam. He praised the ENC’s contributions, particularly its role in the 1971 Indo-Pak war and its humanitarian efforts during Cyclone Hudhud in 2014. Naidu reiterated his plans for a Visakhapatnam Metro Rail and ongoing efforts to prevent the privatization of the RINL-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.

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