APIIC to spend Rs 45cr on developing industrial estates in Godavari districts

To acquire 2,000 acres across 12 towns

Keeping in view the new industrial policy of the government, the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), Kakinada zone, has now decided to develop more industrial estates in the East and West Godavari districts.

For this, the corporation is planning to acquire 2,000 acres of land across 12 towns in the twin Godavari districts at an investment of Rs 45 crore.

Speaking to Business Standard, AV Rama Krishna, zonal manager of APIIC, said, "No new industrial estates had been developed in the last two years. Only the spillover works relating to the previous years are being executed. However, the corporation's thrust in the next fiscal is on creating land banks and as part of this strategy, 2,000 acres of land is being acquired at an investment of Rs 45 crore for giving a fillip to the industrialisation of the Godavari districts."

According to him, an industrial estate is being planned in an area of 100 acres at Velugubanda near Rajahmundry and in another 50 acres at Peddapuram in the next fiscal.

Besides, another 200 acres have been allotted for establishment of an 'autonagar' at Tadepalligudem in the West Godavari district. "Eluru and Tanuku are the towns where the corporation is planning to develop industrial estates for which the process of land acquisition is on," Rama Krishna said.

APIIC also allots lands to private companies for setting up industries. The corporation had allotted 260 acres of land for the Gowthami power plant and 200 acres for the RAK Ceramics at Samalkot. As on today, as many as 18 industrial estates are functioning in the twin Godavari districts.

"A new industrial policy is currently being evolved with the participation and suggestions of all connected with the industry. The state government, with APIIC as the catalyst, is toying with the idea of creating a coastal industrial corridor covering the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, East and West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore districts," Rama Krishna said.

The corporation is also creating land banks by acquiring a minimum of 1,000 acres in every district of the state. The proposed coastal corridor is likely to be the hub of expanded industrial activity, according to APIIC sources.