Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu announced that the state government will roll out the ‘Auto Driverla Sevalo’ scheme on October 4, 2025. This program is designed to provide essential financial support to auto drivers throughout the state.
The Chief Minister explained that this ₹15,000 financial aid package is specifically for nearly 2.9 lakh auto drivers. Their incomes have seen a decline following the implementation of the ‘Stree Shakti’ free bus service for women, which was launched on August 15, Independence Day.
Earlier, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu highlighted that the ‘Stree Shakti’ scheme itself aims to boost women’s financial independence.
During a public event in Datti village, Gajapathinagaram Assembly constituency, Vizianagaram district, on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, Mr. Chandrababu formally distributed social security pensions to senior citizens as part of the NTR Bharosa scheme.
Addressing the gathering, he reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting all segments of society, including auto drivers, to ensure they can lead fulfilling lives. He announced that approximately ₹435 crores would be allocated for the ‘Auto Driverla Sevalo’ initiative.
Officials from the Road Transport Corporation (RTC) have previously indicated that the ‘Stree Shakti’ initiative alone is expected to benefit over 56,000 women in Annamayya district.
Naidu also mentioned that his government is actively working on reducing electricity charges, which had been increased by the previous administration. Furthermore, he pledged to invest approximately ₹2,000 crores towards completing irrigation projects in the North Andhra districts.
The Chief Minister expressed optimism that the construction of an international airport at Bhogapuram, strategically located along NH-16 (connecting Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, and Visakhapatnam districts), would significantly accelerate development in the region.
The Minister for MSME and NRI affairs reported that the government had disbursed approximately ₹48,019 crore in social security pensions to those in need over the past six months. Separately, Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy presented a ₹5 lakh cheque to Palleda Dhanunjaya Naidu, a resident of Datti village, as part of the P-4 zero poverty scheme.
The Chief Minister and other public representatives commended the Collector for his swift action in arranging the cheque as per Naidu’s instructions. Joint Collector Sedhu Madhavan, Vizianagaram Superintendent of Police A.R. Damodar, and other officials were responsible for coordinating the Chief Minister’s visit.