Andhra Pradesh to seek Rs 1,000-crore World Bank aid

Andhra Pradesh government has decided to seek financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore from the World Bank for reconstruction works in cyclone-devastated districts of the state.
The state cabinet met here today and approved a proposal in this regard, according to Information and Public Relations Minister D K Aruna.
Briefing newspersons after the cabinet meet, she said consecutive cyclones in 2009-10 left a trail of destruction in the coastal districts and also other parts of the state.
"We have decided to approach the World Bank for a financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore to take up reconstruction works in these districts," Aruna said.

The cabinet also cleared a proposal for expansion of existing Gannavaram airport at Vijayawada at a total cost of Rs 280 crore. About 492 acres of land, including 433 acres belonging to private persons, have to be acquired for the purpose at a cost of Rs 111 crore.
Another Rs 170 crore would be spent on construction of airport terminal building, Air Traffic Control tower and other facilities.

The AP government had entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Airports Authority of India for expansion of Vijayawada airport way back in December 2007 but land acquisition problems delayed the project all these years.

The cabinet also cleared a proposal for setting up of three leather parks at Kantepalli (Karimnagar district, 40 acres), Ghanpur (Warangal, 25 acres) and Jinkunta (Mahbubnagar, 25 acres).
Two Industrial Parks will be set up at Jayantipuram in Krishna district (498 acres) and Sirasambedu in Nellore district (176 acres), for which the cabinet approved the land allotment.
In another decision, the cabinet approved a proposal for selling 58 acres of land at Rs 5 lakh an acre for setting up of the National Ocean Technology Research Institute at Chittedu village in Nellore district.