"Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu is set to unveil a series of infrastructure and welfare initiatives in Naravaripalle as part of his four-day Sankranti visit."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recently travelled to his native village, Naravaripalle, to celebrate the Sankranti festival with his family and inaugurate several development projects in the region. On Tuesday, the Chief Minister is scheduled to lay foundation stones and inaugurate initiatives in both Naravaripalle and Tirupati.

In Naravaripalle, Naidu will participate in Sankranti celebrations at the TTD Kalyana Mandapam and visit the Seshachala Lingeswara Swamy Temple. He will inaugurate a newly constructed road linking A-Rangampeta-Bheemavaram to the temple, built at a cost of ₹70 lakh. Other projects include a 33/11 KV semi-indoor substation, a Skill Building Centre worth ₹1.4 crore for youth industry training, and the Sanjeev project.

In Tirupati, the Chief Minister will inaugurate a patient attendant amenities complex at Sri Venkateswara Ramnarayan Ruia Government Hospital, built at ₹45 lakh, and new hostels at SV University, including a Boys’ Hostel at ₹7.5 crore and a Girls’ Hostel at ₹4–5 crore.

Naidu will also lay foundation stones for several key projects, including a ₹126-crore water supply scheme to transport water from the Neeva Branch Canal to the Kalyani Dam, Moolapalli tank, and four other tanks, and a ₹10 lakh animal shelter complex. At SV University, he will lay foundation stones for centralised advanced research laboratories costing ₹6 crore, construction of the second floor of an academic building at ₹5.03 crore, and a compound wall at ₹2.91 crore.

On January 15, the Chief Minister is expected to visit the Nagalamma temple, the presiding deity of his village, to offer special prayers before returning to Amaravati.

Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh is gearing up for Sankranti, the state’s major harvest festival, with extensive preparations underway across districts. The four-day festival, beginning with Bhogi, has seen villagers and city residents return home to celebrate with family.

The Transport Department and APSRTC have deployed thousands of special buses to manage the festive rush, particularly on routes connecting cities such as Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, and Rajamahendravaram to rural areas. Railway stations and bus terminals are witnessing heavy crowds as students, employees, and migrant workers travel home.

Local authorities have intensified sanitation drives, street lighting, and decorations. Villages are adorned with colourful rangoli, mango-leaf festoons, and other traditional décor, reflecting the cultural spirit of Sankranti. Markets are bustling with festive shopping for clothes, sugarcane, turmeric plants, kites, and other essentials, while cattle markets and village grounds are being prepared for traditional events such as Gangireddy performances, Haridasu programmes, and bullock-cart celebrations.

Police departments have strengthened surveillance and traffic management in towns, highways, and pilgrimage centres to ensure public safety, focusing on crowded areas and accident-prone zones. Cultural programmes, kite festivals, and community celebrations are being organised to promote Andhra Pradesh’s rich traditions. Temples are preparing for special prayers and rituals during Bhogi, Sankranti, and Kanuma.

Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanadh said, “Sankranti, traditionally a rural festival, is now being celebrated widely in Vijayawada. The city is alive with festivities, Bhogi bonfires, and cultural events. Everyone is participating and enjoying the celebrations. We thank the organisers and wish a Happy Sankranti to all.”

With favourable weather and extensive administrative preparations, Andhra Pradesh is set to celebrate Sankranti in a vibrant and peaceful atmosphere, honouring farmers and the bountiful harvest.