Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Lokesh Pitches Andhra Pradesh as Investment and Innovation Hub
Nara Lokesh spoke about making Andhra Pradesh a place where more businesses can invest and grow.
He said the government wants to move quickly, help investors and keep its policies steady.
He wants signed investment deals to become real projects that create jobs.
He described plans for a large horticulture project, a steel plant and a Google data centre.
The state is also building groups of industries in 23 different areas.
Lokesh said renewable energy capacity grew by 4.8 gigawatts in one year.
He asked IIT alumni to share their knowledge and help businesses and researchers work together.
He said Amaravati is being developed as an education and research hub, with a new airport proposed.
Nara Lokesh promoted Andhra Pradesh as an investment and innovation hub at the Pan-IIT Summit 2026 in Vijayawada.
He said the state’s approach focuses on “Speed, Service and Stability” and turning investment agreements into projects and jobs.
Projects cited included a proposed Rs 1 lakh crore horticulture ecosystem, an ArcelorMittal steel plant and a Google data centre.
Andhra Pradesh is developing 23 sectoral clusters and added 4.8 GW of renewable energy capacity in one year, Lokesh said.
Lokesh invited IIT alumni to contribute to the clusters and described plans for research facilities and infrastructure in Amaravati.
- Who
- Andhra Pradesh minister for HRD and IT Nara Lokesh
- What
- Presented the state as an investment and innovation hub and outlined projects, sectoral clusters and development plans.
- When
- Saturday, at the Pan-IIT Summit 2026; the article does not specify the date.
- Where
- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
- Why
- To attract investment and help transform Andhra Pradesh into a developed state within the next decade.
- Summit
- Pan-IIT Summit 2026
- Government approach
- “Speed, Service and Stability”
- Sectoral clusters
- 23 planned clusters across industries and technologies
- Horticulture project
- Proposed Rs 1 lakh crore ecosystem at Madanapalle
- Steel plant
- A 17 million-tonne greenfield plant being established by ArcelorMittal
- Renewable energy
- Capacity increased by 4.8 GW in one year, according to Lokesh
- Amaravati airport
- A 5,000-acre greenfield airport is proposed