APIIC mulls SEZ, industrial parks in East Godavari

The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has proposed to set up a special economic zone (SEZ) and two industrial parks in East Godavari district.

The proposed SEZ is being planned especially for warehousing-related industries to cash in on the demand for warehousing complexes here.

The corporation has identified 100 acres of land at Vakalapudi area in Kakinada rural mandal for the purpose. It has sent its proposals to the Union commerce ministry and was awaiting sanction orders, APIIC officials said.

All royalties like 25 per cent of the land cost up to Rs 5 lakh, 100 per cent stamp exemption, uninterrupted power supply and other SEZ benefits will be provided to the units at the proposed SEZ.

As regards the industrial parks, officials said the corporation had proposed to set up two industrial parks at Velugubanda village in Rajanagaram mandal and Peddapuram area.

The parks would come up on 112 acres and 1,100 acres respectively. While the state government had already given its green signal to the project, the district administration was yet to issue notification on land acquisition.

BS Naidu, zonal manager of APIIC, East Godavari district, said in view of the government's firm commitment to create an industrial corridor between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam, several industrial houses were evincing interest to set up their units in the district.

For instance, Gujarat State Petroleum Limited (GSPL) has sought 200 acres of land to establish its plant at the Peddapuram Industrial Development Area (IDA), and APIIC is ready to allot the said land to the company.

Similarly, American Ethanol Extractions Limited has sought 100 acres of land while American Ceramic Company has asked for 50 acres for setting up its insulators manufacturing units.

The other big-ticket companies that have sought land for setting up shop in the district include Tatas (200 acres for establishing an ethanol extractions plant), Ashok Leyland (15 acres for an automotive plant) and the National Dairy Development Board (50 acres for a dairy unit).

"We will extend all cooperation to the industrial houses who want to set up their units here. We have already helped Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), which identified 32 acres of land at Gokavaram mandal, by acquiring the land and allotting the same to the company,'' said Naidu.

He said that the corporation would also give permission to establish cashew nut processing units or other units in cluster in the IDA.