Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad takes the salute from a police contingent during the Independence Day celebrations at the Police Barracks in Visakhapatnam on Friday.

| Photo Credit: V. RAJU

Minister of Revenue Anagani Satya Prasad said that Visakhapatnam is witnessing significant industrial and IT development and is emerging as a major centre for investments and employment generation. He was addressing the district-level Independence Day celebrations in the city on Saturday (August 15, 2026) after hoisting the national flag. The Minister received a ceremonial salute from the police.Before the ceremonial parade, Mr. Satya Prasad, accompanied by District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore and Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, inspected the parade in an open-top vehicle. The march-past was conducted under the leadership of the parade commander, with police personnel and NCC cadets taking part.The Minister and other dignitaries on the dais received the salute from the participating contingents. As a symbol of peace and national unity, the dignitaries also released balloons in the colours of the national flag into the air. The Minister presented the district’s development report, outlining the welfare and development initiatives undertaken by the state government and the district administration to accelerate the district’s progress.Delivering his address, Mr. Satya Prasad stated that the state government has been taking several measures to transform Visakhapatnam into one of the country’s leading IT and industrial destinations. He mentioned that the A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) is playing a key role in attracting investments and developing the necessary industrial infrastructure in the city. As part of these efforts, land has so far been allotted to 28 IT companies. These investments are expected to total ₹76,424.98 crore and provide employment opportunities for around 130,948 people, he said.Mr. Satya Prasad said that the development would not be confined to the IT and industrial sectors alone, and that employment opportunities would also be created in tourism and other allied sectors as the city’s economic activity expanded.The Minister said that Google’s Data Centre at Tarluvada, Hyper Data Scale Data Centre Project at Mudasarlova, and Industrial Units at Gurrampalem were some of the important projects pursued. These projects were expected to attract about ₹62,785 crore in investments and generate employment for nearly 95,000 people. The projects would give further impetus to industrial development, technology-led growth, and employment generation in Visakhapatnam, he added.The Minister said the government was committed to creating an investment-friendly environment and ensuring that the benefits of industrial development reached the people through increased employment opportunities and wider economic activity.