Andhra Pradesh signs pact with Chhattisgarh

Hyderabad: To improve the connectivity between Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the state government on Saturday issued orders constituting a working group of IAS officers headed by Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao. It may be mentioned that during a meeting between Chief Ministers of AP and Chhattisgarh on September 22, it was felt that Chhattisgarh, a land locked state, in the heartland of India needs port connectivity whereas Andhra Pradesh has a long coastline with port infrastructure to support huge hinterland. The regions of both states enjoy a long and historic relationship, trade and commerce. In order to foster economic growth, people-to-people relationship, cultural exchange between the two states and to leverage their respective strengths, it was felt that there is a need to improve physical connectivity including road, railway and air connectivity between the two states.

The two governments decided to constitute a Working Group to be co-chaired by the chief secretaries of the states. The Working Group shall have the secretaries of PWD, transport, roads & buildings (T R & B) , Forest Energy and CMO as members.

Accordingly, the Government of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday nominated the following officers as part of the working group to identify the parameters and prepare a road map to improve connectivity between the two states.