Hyderabad: In a major boost to the coastal economy, the state government has decided to develop a cluster of port-based industries near Kakinada.
The state Cabinet, which will meet here on Tuesday, will approve allotment of 1,500 acres for this cluster. According to sources, the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation will act as a nodal agency for developing the land and allotting the same to prospective industries.
The coastal city has already been witnessing industrial growth due to the deep-water port and anchorage port. Infra major GMR is developing a Special Economic Zone on about 7,000 acres and creation of infrastructure is in full swing.
“We have government land and some portion of assigned land. The proposal to allot land was approved strictly in accordance with the state land policy,” a senior official pointed out, adding that the port-based industry cluster will come up near Uppada and Kothapalli.
The state’s decision gained significance in the backdrop of the Centre making quick moves for the state’s division.
Next: Cash for golf course evacuees
Cash for golf course evacuees
Hyderabad: The coastal economy, which is predominantly agro based, is expected to undergo a radical change once the port-based industries are set up.
While maintaining their official stand seeking a unified state, a delegation of Seemandhra Union ministers had submitted a memorandum to the Group of Ministers in which they had stressed on the need for encouraging port-based industrial activity.
The Cabinet will also approve payment of cash to the evacuees of the golf course near Naya Qila at Golconda. About 40 families had lost their houses due to land acquisition for the golf course, and the government had deposited the compensation amount with the designated court.
However, the evacuees had demanded that they should be given alternative land as compensation. Accordingly, the government had allotted 30 acres near Vikarabad. But the evacuees had again changed their demand and wanted compensation in cash.
The Cabinet is also likely to take another major decision of allowing cost escalation for several irrigation projects. A Cabinet sub-committee has already approved the proposal to enhance the project costs keeping in view the request of the contractors.
The contractors argued that the cost of diesel and other components having link to international markets increased heavily leading to cost escalation.
Significantly, Deputy Chief Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha had written to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy asking him not to agree to the contractors’ demands. After a lull, the government has moved the proposal again.
Sources said though the sub-committee had approved cost escalation it was doubtful if it would be placed before the Cabinet on Tuesday.
