Roadmap for Balanced Growth in Nellore

Nellore: As many as 11 major companies are set to establish their projects in SPSR Nellore district. Land acquisition is currently in progress for six of these projects, while land identification is under way for the remaining five.

Collector Himanshu Shukla on Tuesday outlined an ambitious roadmap to ensure balanced development of Nellore district, with special focus on accelerating growth in the western upland (metta) regions on par with the eastern coastal belt.

Marking the completion of three months in office, the collector interacted with the media on Tuesday, sharing key initiatives being taken to address long-pending issues and drive comprehensive district development.

He said industrial development has been a top priority since he assumed charge, with focused efforts on land acquisition and investor engagement.

The district’s industrial growth would not be limited to the southern and coastal regions, but extend to western areas such as Atmakur and Udayagiri, where talks were on with several industrialists, he said.

Steps are also being taken to establish industries in a 225 sq.km area covering the backward areas of Kavali, Jaldanki and Duttalur.

For the BPCL project that requires 6,000 acres, around 3,200 acres have been acquired, while another 2,800 acres are ready. “If all goes as planned, groundwork for the BPCL project is expected by February 2027.

The collector said all hurdles to the Indosol Solar project have been cleared, paving the way for its progress. “Industrial development is being pursued with a focus on indirect employment generation and overall improvement in local livelihoods.”

After nearly 30 years, he said, cabinet approval has been granted for land allocation to IFFCO Kisan SEZ. Of the total 2,772 acres, IFFCO would develop 1,600 acres, while the government 120 acres, with operations targeted to begin in the next two years.

With the Ramayapatnam Port, BPCL and Indosol projects, the Kavali constituency is set to emerge as a major industrial township. A detailed development plan has already been submitted to the government.

The collector said the Kovur Sugar Factory would be handed over to APIIC to facilitate eco-friendly industrial development, with the government committed to fair compensation for farmers and workers.

In Nellore city, the administration is working to strengthen the banking and financial services sector and attract IT and IT-enabled jobs by engaging with leading entrepreneurs. Large-scale promotion of MSMEs is also on the agenda to boost local employment.

Special emphasis is being laid on irrigation projects and delta modernisation to strengthen agriculture. Farmers are being encouraged to diversify from paddy to other commercial crops. The administration is also identifying a “champion farmer” in every village to promote skill-based, modern farming practices and serve as a model for others.

Shukla said grievance redressal through the Monday PGRS system is being closely monitored, with every petition tracked until resolution. Feedback is being collected from applicants even after disposal, supported by audit teams at the collectorate.

A new “One Village–One Month” programme would soon be launched, under which officials would visit a selected village four times in a month to directly engage with residents and resolve issues. “The goal is to resolve at least 50 per cent of problems in each village, with the programme to be rolled out across the district.”

Tourism is also part of the district’s growth strategy. The collector said Mypadu Beach would be developed as a major tourist attraction, while Udayagiri Fort would be promoted as a heritage destination.

“Nellore district is moving forward with a clear, planned approach to strengthen its economy through industrial growth, agriculture, tourism and people-centric governance, aiming to make the district a leader across sectors,” the collector stressed.