MAY 23: In a significant step toward strengthening Andhra Pradesh’s scientific and technological capabilities, Chief Minister Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu met with Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss a series of forward-looking proposals. The meeting, held in New Delhi, focused on building Andhra into a modern high-tech hub through strategic collaboration with Central scientific agencies.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, who holds multiple portfolios including Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Space, welcomed the proposals positively. He assured that each would be reviewed carefully in consultation with relevant departments such as the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), and Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
Chief Minister Naidu emphasized the importance of leveraging Central schemes like “Vignan Dhara” to enhance grassroots research and innovation in Andhra Pradesh. He called for better coordination between state institutions and central agencies to empower local talent and foster an innovation-driven ecosystem.
Among the key proposals was the establishment of a national supercomputing facility in Tirupati. This would serve as a powerful research infrastructure to support academic institutions and scientific research in areas such as climate modeling, artificial intelligence, and biotechnology. Another major focus was the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone (AMTZ) in Visakhapatnam. The CM sought deeper collaboration to position AMTZ as a leading science and technology cluster for medical device innovation.
The Chief Minister also proposed setting up a CSIR laboratory in the state to boost scientific output and industrial R&D, along with the creation of a biotechnology park and a biotechnology university to strengthen life sciences research and industry linkages.
Aiming to make Andhra a hub for cutting-edge technologies, CM Naidu requested the state’s inclusion in the National Quantum Mission. He also sought support for deploying advanced agri-tech solutions to improve farming outcomes and called for Centre’s assistance in branding Andhra Pradesh as a future-tech destination—especially in areas like deep tech and integrated innovation platforms.
Dr. Singh acknowledged Andhra’s proactive approach and reiterated the Centre’s commitment to science-led regional development. He highlighted the importance of involving state governments in national science missions to ensure inclusive progress.
The meeting reflects a shared vision for deeper Centre-State collaboration, with the potential to transform Andhra Pradesh into a leading innovation powerhouse in the years to come.
