N※N

Andhra Pradesh Demands Fulfillment of 2014 Reorganisation Act Promises

  //politics-government.news-articles.net/content/ .. illment-of-2014-reorganisation-act-promises.html
  Published in Politics and Government on Thursday, February 19th 2026 at 2:18 GMT by The Hans India
      Locales: Andhra Pradesh, INDIA

VIJAYAWADA, February 19th, 2026 - Ten years after the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014, key promises remain unfulfilled, casting a long shadow over the state's development and fueling calls for immediate action from political stakeholders. Former Member of Parliament Vundavalli Arun Kumar today reignited the debate, urging all political parties to prioritize the resolution of these lingering issues as the nation approaches another general election.

Speaking to the media, Vundavalli highlighted a core set of grievances stemming from the state's bifurcation - issues explicitly outlined in the original agreement accompanying the division. These aren't merely bureaucratic hurdles, he argued, but fundamental commitments made to ensure Andhra Pradesh could thrive after losing its capital city, Hyderabad, and the economic benefits associated with it.

The most prominent and perhaps most emblematic of these unresolved issues is the Polavaram Irrigation Project. Initially conceived as a lifeline for the drought-prone regions of Andhra Pradesh, Polavaram has become mired in delays, escalating costs, and complex rehabilitation challenges. What began as an estimated project cost of around INR10,000 crore (approximately $1.2 billion USD at the time of bifurcation) has ballooned to upwards of INR55,000 crore (approximately $6.6 billion USD) in 2026, with completion dates repeatedly pushed back. The project is critical for providing irrigation to vast swathes of farmland and addressing water scarcity, but ongoing disputes over rehabilitation packages for displaced villagers and technical complexities continue to plague its progress.

Beyond Polavaram, the non-implementation of "Special Category Status" for Andhra Pradesh remains a significant point of contention. This status, promised at the time of bifurcation, would have unlocked substantial financial assistance from the central government, including tax benefits and increased funding for infrastructure projects. Advocates argue that the denial of this status has severely hampered the state's economic growth, leaving it lagging behind other rapidly developing regions of India. While successive central governments have offered alternative packages, these have consistently been deemed insufficient by Andhra Pradesh's political leadership and civil society groups.

Another crucial unresolved issue concerns the transfer and establishment of educational institutions. As part of the bifurcation agreement, certain educational institutions located in what was formerly united Andhra Pradesh were to be divided and new institutions established in the newly formed state. However, the process has been slow and uneven, leading to a shortage of educational opportunities for students in Andhra Pradesh. Many institutions are still awaiting full operationalization, and issues related to infrastructure, faculty recruitment, and funding remain unresolved.

Vundavalli's public appeal comes at a pivotal moment. With elections looming, he stressed the importance of political parties acknowledging these longstanding issues and presenting concrete plans for their resolution. "It's disheartening to see these promises repeatedly ignored during election campaigns," he stated. "The people of Andhra Pradesh deserve answers and a clear roadmap for addressing these critical concerns."

The former MP proposed a solution: the formation of a joint committee comprising representatives from both the central and state governments. This committee, he argued, would be best positioned to expedite the resolution process, untangle bureaucratic complexities, and ensure effective coordination between the two levels of government. He emphasized the urgency, given the limited time before the elections, and urged decisive action from all stakeholders.

Analysts suggest that Vundavalli's call reflects a growing frustration among the people of Andhra Pradesh with the slow pace of progress and the perceived lack of commitment from successive governments. The unresolved issues are not merely economic concerns; they are seen as matters of pride and fairness. Whether the upcoming election campaigns will address these concerns in a meaningful way remains to be seen, but the pressure is mounting on political parties to provide tangible solutions and fulfill the promises made a decade ago. The future of Andhra Pradesh's development, many believe, hinges on finally addressing these outstanding issues from the 2014 reorganisation.