Andhra Pradesh Projects Thread II

Please continue here. Thanks.

Link to the previous thread: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=17107715#post17107715

some of the projects WIP/ proposed ...

Ports:
Gangavaram Port: (WIP) ================================ 2008 (Done)
Krishnapatnam port project: phase-I three berths: - ============ 2008 (Done)
== 2x800 mw Krishnapatnam JV power project: Rs. 8000 Cr ======= 2008
== K'Patnam -Obulavaripalli 114-km Railway track: Rs.588 Cr ====== 2010
Nizampatnam Port Mid-size port (by SKODA ) … Rs 10,000 crore === proposed
Machilipatnam (@Gilakaladinne) Port ======================== Proposed

Power Plants:
Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plant Phase 2: ---------(420 MW) === done
Krishnapatnam UMPP 4000MW by Reliance =================== proposed
Vijayawda Thermal Power Station Stage IV: -------- (500 MW) === August 2008
Combined Cycle Gas-based Project, Karimnagar: --- (2,100 MW) 2009, 2009 & 2010.
Kakatiya thermal power project ---------------------(500 MW) === proposed
Kothagudem thermal power station stage VI -------- (500 MW) === proposed

Vizag:
Pharma City ===================================== 2007 Done
Apparel City - Brandix India at Atchyuthapuram (VSEZ) ===== 2008 Done
Airport Runway Expansion =========================== 2008 Done
International Passenger Terminal ====================== Oct 2008
Railway Station Platform Expansion ==================== Aug 2008

BARC R&D ======================================= 2008 - 2011
BRTS 2 corridors ================================== 2008 - 2010
Greenfeild Airport @Rayavaram ======================== 2008 - 2012
VSP Expansion Rs. 9000 cr. =========================== 2008 - 2010
Knowledge City ==================================== proposed
Jindal Aluminium Industry ============================= proposed
Refinery-cum-petrocheml complex $6 billion LN Mittal n others == proposed
UAE based Anrak company Rs 9,000-crore aluminium plant ===== proposed
Power Plant by Hindujas ============================== proposed
Film City ========================================== proposed
HPCL Expansion http://www.ibef.org/artdisplay.aspx?cat_id=490&art_id=17261&arc=show == proposed
Kakinada:
Kakinada Sea Ports Ltd deep water port 3 berths: 1999 - 2004 ==== operational
Kakinada (Old) Anchorage Port AP State R&B : -------------- ===== operational
Kakinada multiproduct SEZ Financial closure ================== acheived
Deepwater port - 4th berth: KSPL or Reliance. --------- ----- ===== 2008
ONGC Refinery- Uppada near Kakinada Rs. 22,000 crores 2000 acre == 2008-2014

Rajahmundry:
Airport Expansion ======================================= WIP
New Bridge: Kovvuru to Kateru-Konthamuru to join NH5 @Diwancheruvu 4.5km == proposed
Textile Marketing Hub ==================================== proposed

Vijayawada:
STPI: on the campus of Vijayawada Polytechnic 2 acres of land ====== operational
Airpot Expansion ========================================= proposed
BRTS ================================================= proposed
IT park: at Gannavaram in 33 acres of land ===================== proposed
IRR http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/19/stories/2006121914600300.htm ====== proposed
(VGTM-UDA): The Vij, Guntur, Tenali, Mangalagiri Urban Dev Authority == formed

Nellore/ Naidupet / Menakuru/ Gudur/ Mambattu/ TADA:
Apache Footwear Ltd (Adidas) 315-acre site 4000 ppl in at Mambattu, Tada === operational
TATA's Leather SEZ http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/30/stories/2006073020880100.htm == proposed
Southern India Mills Assn to set up 11 textile mills Rs. 1,400 cr. ============= proposed
Loyola Textile Mills Limited will set up another park with Rs. 100 cr. ========== proposed
A consortium of shoemakers to set up 35 units, to be set up 2.5 acres ======== proposed
Chennai-based alloy steel company, RKKR Steels at Menakuru 100 acres ======= proposed
MAS Holdings: Asian Apparel Fabric Tech Park Pvt Ltd - 20 textile/apparel units == proposed

Tirupati:
Airport Expansion ======================================== done
IT Park ================================================ proposed
Agri Marketing Center ===================================== proposed
Integrated Tourist Center (Hub) ============================= proposed

Warangal:
Airport ================================================= proposed
Ring Road =============================================== proposed
IT Park ================================================= proposed
Tourism Projects ========================================== proposed

Kurnool:
Airport ================================================== proposed
ORR http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/29/stories/2006122914250300.htm ======== proposed

Kadapa:
Airport ================================================== proposed
Steel Plant =============================================== proposed
Uranium Mining and Processing Plant ============================ proposed
Shilparamam http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/ap.html ============ proposed

SEZs in India: The record so far (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/27/stories/2007112750070900.htm)
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/12/14/stories/2007121451222300.htm
Govt nod for coastal corridor (http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20071130225611&Page=A&Headline=Govt+nod+for+Coastal+Corridor+Development&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0)

VISAKHAPATNAM: Investments may soon flood the coastal Andhra Pradesh with the State Government giving its consent to the much awaited ‘Coastal Corridor Development’ (CCD) in the region.

Under the project, the 972 km coast line from Ichapuram in Srikakulam district bordering Orissa in north to Tada of Nellore district touching Tamil Nadu in south would be developed using natural resources and private investments.....
The AP Budget Speech Feb 2007:
http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/feb/19bud4.htm
AP attracts Rs 93,000 crore investment proposals
Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad | February 19, 2007 17:46 IST
The Andhra Pradesh government has cleared industrial investment proposals worth Rs 93,000 crore (Rs 930 billion) during 2006, which constitutes 10.2 per cent of the entire investment in the country.

"Our state stands in second position after Maharashtra when it comes to attracting investments," Finance Minister K Rosaiah told the State Legislative Assembly while presenting the State Budget for 2007-08 on Monday.

"Our government is adopting a two-pronged strategy to promote industries in the state. Te first one being, providing concessions, subsidies and incentives to help the industries in the state to become competitive and grow at a brisk pace. For the first time, the power tariff for the industry was reduced, making it the most competitive in the country. For small-scale and new industries, we are providing a subsidy of 75 paise per unit of power," he explained.

The finance minister said that single window clearance has been established to avoid inordinate delays. To the entrepreneurs who are setting up small-scale industries, the government is providing capital subsidy. An allocation of Rs 75 crore (Rs 750 million) has been earmarked for this purpose in the state budget for 2007-08.

"We are committed to providing world class infrastructural facilities to make AP manufacturing hub for national and international companies. A lot of world class companies have offered to establish their production units in the State. First Phase works of the prestigious semi-conductor manufacturing facility-FAB City -- are already underway. The second phase will be started as soon as the Central government announces the semi-conductor policy," he added.

The Apache factory manufacturing shoes at Tada in Nellore district has already commenced production. The expansion programme of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant budgeted at Rs 9,000 crore (Rs 90 billion) has already commenced. The government has recently cleared Rs 1,200 crore (Rs 12 billion) proposal of MLR Motors project for setting up car manufacturing. For the benefit of handloom weavers and leather industry, textile and leather parks are being established in all the regions of the state.

Reiterating the government's commitment to spread information technology and communication (ICT) across the spectrum of the state, which was hitherto limited to small pockets like Madhapur and Gachi Bowli on the outskirts of Hyderabad, he said that "a conscious effort is being made to spread and take the IT to areas around Hyderabad and even to small towns, so that the entire state will be transformed into a knowledge society.

He said that the government has identified 31 special economic zones for setting up of IT units in different districts and necessary infrastructure is being provided. Warangal, Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada and Tirupati are being promoted as Tier-II IT hubs in the state. The State has maintained the first position in IT growth rate during the last two years.

The finance minister said that the government focussed on developing the infrastructure facilities like power, roads and transport to global standards. The state budget for 2007-08 earmarks Rs 1,750 crore (Rs 17.50 billion) for construction and maintenance of roads. The government has also taken up expansion of 12 non-major ports for enhancing the cargo handling capacity from the existing 18 million tonnes per annum to 100 million tonnes by 2012.

Works are going on at a rapid pace at ports like Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Nizampatnam and Machilipatnam. In fact, it is planned to bring Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam ports into operation by 2008.

To keep pace with the growing demand, the expansion of airports at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Puttaparty would be taken up immediately and Memorandum of Understanding for development of airports at Warangal and Kadapa was reached with Airports Authority of India recently. Simultaneously, techno-economic feasibility for development of Greenfield airports at Nellore, Ongole, Ramagundam and Tadepalligudem would be taken up.

"We have provided free power to the farmers for the last three years without resorting to tariff hikes for domestic and industrial consumers and retained our Numero Uno position in power sector in the country," Rosaiah said and added that the government has initiated all the necessary steps for capacity addition to meet the growing demand for power.

In the coming year, more capacity would be added as the natural gas needed for power production is being made available. In all, 8,963 megawatts capacity is going to be added to the existing capacity in power sector during the XI Plan period (2007-2012). Besides, a major power project of 4,000 MW capacity at Krishnapatnam and the 1,000 MW expansion project at Simhadri are being taken up in the state during the XI plan period.

"The new Hyderabad international airport will be ready for operation by the end of next financial year. To east traffic congestion in Hyderabad, we are constructing Outer Ring Road with an outlay of Rs 4,000 crore (Rs 40 billion). Flyovers are being constructed at important junctions. Mass Rapid Transport System (Metro Rail) is proposed to be established with an estimated cost of Rs 8,760 crore (Rs 87.60 billion). An expressway project that will catapult Hyderabad to international standards is being planned with Rs 600 crore (Rs 6 billion)," he pointed out.

Considering the fact that a high-speed rail network (freight + passenger) would require sophisticated technology to build with dedicated tracks and the whole nine yards and keeping in mind the distance between Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam (~650KM), Rs.90,000 crore, albeit a lot, seems like a realistic figure to me.

http://img58.imageshack.us/img58/1106/andhramap2kd7.gif

The coastal belt comprising of Vizag, Kakinada and Machilipatnam coupled with Guntur and Vijayawada is a high-density corridor with two major ports and atleast as many key business centers along it's way. Add Hyderabad to the list and the whole project becomes more than just feasible.

I can't even start to imagine the amount of growth this entire stretch will experience once this network is in place. The best part being the possibility of the track(s) running almost parallel to the two major highways - NH5 & NH9 (barring a small diversion between Machilipatnam and Guntur).

SIDE NOTE: How about constructing a high-speed rail 'quadrilateral' and an east-west/north-south 'diagonals' between major cities in the next 10-15 years time? The design of the 'quadrilateral' is pretty obvious with Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata figuring in the scheme of things and being given equal importance. However, Hyderabad's strategic location on the map can make it a hub along the east-west/north-south line.
Amen.

== other recent updates ==
URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/14/stories/2007081460530600.htm
3 seaports to be operational from 2008
GUNTUR: The three anchorage ports proposed at Gangavaram near Visakhapatnam, Gilikaladinni in Machilipatnam and Krishnapatnam in Nellore district will handle cargo services from April-May 2008, Minister for Ports, Airports and Basic Infrastructure Mopineni Venkata Ramana Rao has said.

Out of the three seaports, works had already begun at two ports -- Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam, he told reporters on Monday. Works regarding the construction of port at Machilipatnam were likely to begin from September and Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy will lay foundation stone. Construction of all these ports was being done on a PPP mode.
URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/17/stories/2007081751230300.htm
Gangavaram works apace industry Dossier
VISAKHAPATNAM: After weathering protests over rehabilitation and resettlement package, the Gangavaram Port Limited (GPL) is racing against time to make the port operational by this year-end.

The port, being developed under public-private participation by forming a special purpose vehicle, will be expanded in phases. The construction work is going on at a fast pace and indications suggest that the port will be commissioned with five berths.

Harbour depth: The all-weather, deepwater, multi-purpose world-class port will have one iron ore and a coal berth and three multipurpose berths. It will have a harbour depth of 21 metres – said to be the deepest among all Indian ports...

DC http://www.deccan.com/Region/RegionNews.asp
Ministry okays two new rail routes for State
Hyderabad, Aug. 23: Chennai will become closer to Hyderabad if the proposed rail route between Nadikudi and Srikalahasti fructifies. The new railway line is expected to shorten the distance between the two state capitals by 150 km. Union railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav has agreed for a fresh survey to take up the project stretching 390 km and with an estimated cost of Rs 712 crores. The new railway line is expected to benefit passengers travelling to Piduguralla, Vinukonda, Darsi, Pidili, Kanigiri, Ravipadu, Vinjamuru, Atmakur, Rapur and Venkatagiri...

Mr Yadav also approved the proposal for the construction of new route between Bhadrachalam-Kovvuru stretching 151 km with an estimated cost of Rs 334 crores. At present, the distance between the two places is around 380 km as the trains can travel only via Vijayawada. The new route will facilitate transportation of mineral wealth from Khammam district to port cities like Kakinada and Visakhapatnam. “The State government will urge the railway minister to introduce supplementary budget in Parliament for the release of funds in the current financial year itself. So that the projects can be taken up immediately,” said the officer.

Deccan Chronicle
AP seeks Rs 1,600cr from WB to develop State roads
Ongole, Sept. 5: The State government will develop 10,200 kilometers of State roads soon and proposals for Rs 1,600 crores for carrying out works were sent to the World Bank, said chief engineer and managing director of the AP roads development corporation (APRDC) B. Rajgopal Reddy here on Wednesday.

The bank had sanctioned Rs. 100 crores as first installment to start works and these will be established shortly, he said. The APRDC will develop 630 kilometers of roads in Prakasam district and the Taticharla-Mydukuru and Giddalur-Porumamilla roads were included, he said...

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/14/stories/2007091461181200.htm
Plan to set up industrial corridor in A.P.
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Government is taking up an ambitious plan to develop Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Growth Corridor (HVVGC) to give thrust to industrial growth in Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts. Guntur, Khammam and Warangal also would come under the influence of the project. The Government has identified six area-specific industrial hubs extending over 10,000 hectares to attract investments.
URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/14/stories/2007091458640100.htm
Plan to set up major industrial corridor
VIJAYAWADA: The State Government is taking up an ambitious plan to develop Hyderabad-Vijayawada-Visakhapatnam Growth Corridor (HVVGC) to give thrust to industrial growth in Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts.

Three other districts -- Guntur, Khammam and Warangal -- also would come under the influence of the project. Under the project, the Government has identified six area-specific industrial hubs extending over 10,000 hectares to attract investments up to Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 crore and generate 8-10 lakh additional employment. The Government would provide high speed rail/road connectivity along the corridor with feeder road linkages, besides infrastructure facilities like underground water, sewer lines, oil and gas pipelines, power and telecommunications etc, at a cost of Rs. 15,000 crore in the first phase. Andhra Pradesh has emerged as one among the five progressive economy States in the country contributing about seven per cent of national economy.

Industrial hubs : On the basis of the potential for growth and inherent strengths of various locations in the influence area, six industrial hubs, which would be spread over a minimum radius of 100 sq. km, have been identified.

Hub 1: Hyderabad will be developed as a prime transport hub with the international airport coming up at Shamshabad and also for IT/ITES, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and tourism.
Hub 2: Suryapet-Miryalaguda-Jaggaiahpet region as agro and food processing hub.
Hub 3: Vijayawada-Machilipatnam region as regional transport hub as well as knowledge centre.
Hub 4: Rajahmundry as textile and trading hub.
Hub 5: Kakinada as petroleum and chemicals, petrochemicals investment region.
Hub 6: Visakhapatnam-Anakapalle-Tuni region as special industrial and transport hub.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/05/stories/2007040505420400.htm
State for converting 4,500-km roads into NH
HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh is staking its claim for conversion of an additional 4,590 km into National Highways in the State. A detailed proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways urging it to consider conversion and development of 17 roads in the State. In fact, the little known fact to the public is that the State already has 15 National Highways covering a distance of 4,648 km.

While 1,125 km of National Highways are mostly four-lane roads and six-lane in some places, 3,158 km of the NH are two-lane roads. Only 365 km of NH is a single-lane road. As many as 1,705 km of National Highways have been added in the State between 1997 and 2004 (Ninth and Tenth plan periods).

The State is actually entitled for another 1,000 km of national highways. In population terms, there should be 6.4 km of NH for every one lakh population (as per the national average). But Andhra Pradesh has 6.03 km of NH. Similarly, there should be 19.95-km-long NH for every 1,000 square km. In the case of Andhra Pradesh, the availability of NH road length is 16.59 km per 1,000 sq. km, according to Chief Engineer of R&B (National Highways) G.V.S. Suryanarayana Raju.

Proposed routes: The major routes proposed for conversion into NHs include:
Nellore-Mydukur-Gooty (314 km);
Hyderabad-Mancherial-Chanda (330 km);
Hyderabad-Srisailam-Nandyal (300 km);
Gundugolanu-Nallajerla-Rajahmundry (83 km);
Krishnapatnam Port-Nellore-Rayachoti-Kadiri-Hiriyur in Karnataka (470 km);
Hyderabad-Medak-Basar-Luxettipet (395 km);
Kakinada-Rajahmundry-Kovvur-Aswaraopet-Khammam-Suryapet (300 km);
Kurnool-Vinukonda-Guntur ( 300 km);
Mahadevpur (Warangal Dt)-Nalgonda-Macherla-Markapur-Venkatagiri-Renigunta (650 km).

What is the logic behind proposing so many roads for conversion when the State is entitled only for only 1,000-km-long National Highways additionally? Dr. Raju says the Union Government usually considers the proposals whenever it decides to extend the length of the NH in other States to maintain parity between the States.

== some more not-very-recent updares ==
Six new airports to come up in State

Source: The hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/18/stories/2007011819420100.htm)
==
Andhra bhoomi reports ... (Jan 2007)
Jalayagnam project would benefit Telangana most. Telangana districts are going to become the rice bowls. The two Godavari districts which are leading so far, would go down to 10th and 11th positions ...
The first five positions will go to Telangana districts... (rankings based on area of land coming under irrigation).

http://i16.************/2vt9vs8.jpg
http://i14.************/4cc9mqb.jpg
http://i10.************/2zzopsn.jpg

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/02/25/stories/2007022523560500.htm
Rs. 22,000-cr. ONGC refinery in Kakinada
Reliance plans $400 mn jetty in Kakinada
Rakteem Katakey in New Delhi | February 23, 2007 01:31 IST
Reliance Industries, which has discovered gas reserves of nearly 14 trillion cubic feet in the Krishna-Godavari basin off the coast of Andhra Pradesh, is building a gas-receiving jetty in Kakinada.
Reliance Ind lines up Rs 7 bn for biodiesel plant
Source: IRIS NEWS DIGEST (22 February 2007)
Reliance Industries is planning to set up the country`s first biodiesel refinery in Andhra Pradesh at a cost of around Rs 7 billion, reports Hindustan Times...
RIL has ambitious plans for the biofuels business and is cultivating jatropha, a plant that can yield high quality biodiesel, in a 200-acre plot at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. ...
Financial closure for Kakinada SEZ in Oct
BS Reporter / Chennai/ Hyderabad February 26, 2007
Financial closure for the proposed Kakinada multiproduct special economic zone (SEZ) would be completed in October 2007, MS Murty, chief operating officer of Kakinada SEZ Private Limited, said...
Kakinada SEZ Private Limited, the special purpose vehicle (SPV) floated by Kakinada Seaports Private Limited (KSPL), has already acquired 6,000 acres for the proposed 10,000-acre SEZ project.
'Ship unit sailing on course'
Ganesh S Lakshman [ 6 Mar, 2007 0303hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]
HYDERABAD: Engineering and construction conglomerate Larsen and Toubro has said the feasibility report on the ship building unit at Kakinada would be ready by the end of this month.
Andhra Bhoomi reports: Efforts are on to obtain SEZ status for Kakinada IT Park
Preparation are in progress to aquire 60 acres of land for the IT SEZ
Infotec has already started operations in IT park.
Wipro and Satyam to start oprations soon.

http://i16.************/4g44nid.jpg
...
Andhra Bhoomi reports: New Shape for the Roads.
YSR decided to bring a new shape to the (state) roads with the World Bank lonas and PPP funds of Rs. 2,600 crore. Plans are to build 12 bridges and upgrade 900 km roads. 400 km length of roads will be taken up in phase-1. The following roads will be widened and made 4 lane roads:
Hyd - Kareemnagar - Ramagundam (Rajiv Rahadari) 220 km.
Warangal - Rayapatnam 115 km
Warangal - Khammam- Tallada 147 km; == Tallada - Devarapalli 142 km
Narkatpally - Addanki 213 km; ============ Pericherla - Tokapalli 133 km
Putalapattu - Naidupet 118 km; =========== Kadapa - Renigunta 138 km
These roads will be transfered from R&B to AP Road Dev Corpn...

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/03/stories/2007040306440400.htm
Gilakaladinne chosen for Masula port

HYDERABAD: The State Government has finally decided to shift the site for development of a modern Machilipatnam port to Gilakaladinne from Gogileru in deference to the sentiments of local people in Krishna district who have been agitating on the issue.

Announcing the decision at a press conference here on Monday, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said the shifting would entail re-designing of the project leading to cost escalation by Rs 200-330 crores, but the Government itself would bear the entire additional burden.

He said the Government had selected Gilakaladinne, respecting popular sentiment and considering the unanimous resolution adopted by an all-party committee. He said that location of the modern port here would pave way for development of Machilipatnam town. "The modern port will befit the hoary history of Machilipatnam as a port," he added.

Additional cost : Official sources said the additional cost would go towards construction of a longer breakwater (at least 5 km), deepening of the sea through dredging and provision for a sand-trap, which were all necessary if Gilakaladinne (5 km from Machilipatnam) was to be developed as a "near-shore anchorage port" in preference to Gogileru (37 km). Annual operation/maintenance costs would also go up.

Dr Reddy said an independent technical committee would be appointed to assess the additional costs. Another committee would then finalise the modalities for signing a "concession agreement" with the developer. He said a consortium, formed with M/s Maytas Infra Pvt Limited--NCC-SREI-SEC had been chosen as the developer through competitive bidding with the project cost estimated over Rs 1,250 crores based on 2001 rates. The original cost, estimated by RITES, however, was Rs 860 crores.

YSR thanked : Asked if the 6,000 acres of land already acquired at Gogileru would be developed into a Special Economic Zone, the Chief Minister said all such proposals would be examined. B. Ramakrishna, MP, and Perni Venkataramaiah, MLA of Machilipatnam, who were present, thanked the Chief Minister for the gesture for selecting Gilakaladinne for establishing the port.

April 2007:
AP’s Rs 30,800cr plan gets approval
Deccan Chronicle

Hyderabad: The State government has got in principle acceptance for Rs 30,800 crore plan for 2007-2008, reports our special correspondent. However, the Planning Commission is expected to formally announce its decision when Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy meet commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on April 16. While the State proposed a total plan outlay of Rs 30,013 crores, the Planning Commission has approved Rs 30,800 crores thanks to increased allocations for Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP).

Official sources told this correspondent that the State’s allocation in JNNURM went up by Rs 200 crores and AIBP Rs 500 crores. The sources said special chief secretary (finance) P. Ramakantha Reddy and secretary (finance) A. Giridhar held discussions with Planning Commission officials in New Delhi on Monday. The State government, which got an approval for Rs 20,000 crores for 2006-2007, will get Rs 10,000 crores more this financial year due to increased tax collections.

Hope atleast some of the Projects that are listed above will be materialized.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121559710100.htm
Airport expansion plan awaits nod
VIJAYAWADA: While software professionals and industrialists are concerned over the delay in the execution of work of expanding the Gannavaram airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has good news about its soon-to-be-approved master plan for the development of a well-equipped air field with a full-length airstrip there. AAI officials say that their effort is to ensure that the master plan is approved and released by December-end so that there will be no hurdles in taking up the expansion of the existing runway, besides constructing a new terminal, new bases for night landing and other facilities.

Accessible airfield : AAI Executive Director (Planning) G.K. Chaukiyal told The Hindu that they were in the process of finalising the master plan for development of Gannavaram airport into a highly useful and accessible airfield to meet the needs of even bigger aircraft. The master plan became necessary after the officials decided to prepare a viable plan for expansion of the airport without disturbing surrounding villages and private properties, except in one or two instances. After a thorough study, the AAI officials have decided not to disturb Buddhavaram, Ajjampudi, Kesarapalli and surrounding villages at any cost. In all likelihood, the plan will consist of three phases of development. One of the chief features of the plan may be increasing the length of the runway from the existing 1,745 metres to 3,800 metres.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121554600500.htm
Full-length runway at Gannavaram airport soon
... As per the new proposals, a new terminal building will come up on AAI’s land at Gannavaram airport. It will have a capacity for 200 incoming and 200 outgoing passengers.

Status of Sathyavedu SEZ projects ?

Does anyone have the status of the several SEZs planned for Sathyavedu region in Chittoor district ?

As far as we know Sathyavedu Infrastructure City , now called Sricity www.sricity.in has a land bank of about 1200 acres. They are building an information center inside near Tada and not much else. The Architect for the project Jurong International, Singapore has not announced it yet in their news letters . However one Aravind Varuna Architects, who designed the HCL IT parks in Chennai, have been appointed as the local architects.

There has been furious activity by private land banking firms in recent months in and around Sathyavedu, particularly near the picturesque Nagalapuram hills which stands at a majestic 1700 feet above sea level.

On the Tamil Nadu side of the border, near the Tada Apache SEZ, a new hospital "city" under the brand name "medicity" has been promoted in over 280 acres by Dr Cherian.

Any information specific to developments in this area is welcome.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121559710100.htm


URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121554600500.htm

Hope So They Do It As Soon As Possible.It Has To Get A Big Terminal Building
As There's Alot Population Density In Central Coastal Districts With Alot Of Business Oppurtunities For NRI's Residing In The U.S Where Vijayawada Could Be A Good Transit Point To The West Coast Of U.S.A & Some South Asian Cities.Rajahmundry Could Be An Alternative Hub.

Higher allocation for farm sector next year: Minister (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121551960300.htm)



Kakinada: Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy has said the State Government is negotiating with the Central Government on the issue of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy and trying to mitigate the losses of farmers by giving more subsidy within its limitations. The government has decided to hike the allocation for the agriculture sector in the next financial year to Rs. 30,000 crores from the current figure of about Rs. 22,600 crores.

Speaking to the media after visiting the hill shrine of Annavaram in the district on Friday, Mr. Reddy claimed that Andhra Pradesh stood third among all States in the country in the development of the agriculture sector after the Congress came to power. It was previously ranked sixth.

Farm loans


Renewed focus was laid on increasing the production and alleviating the plight of farmers by extending more financial assistance to them.

The Congress Government reduced the rate of interest on farm loans from 14 per cent to 7 per cent and 12 to 5 per cent on cooperative loans to enable them to meet the rising costs.

At the same time, awareness was being spread about the latest techniques for achieving higher yield and the importance of organic farming which was cheaper and eco-friendly. Huge sums of outstanding loans payable by farmers were waived to extricate them from the financial crisis.

The Minister expressed confidence that there would be a substantial increase in production due to the copious rain received in the recent past and greater importance attached to the irrigation projects.

Necessary help was being extended to farmers to produce more of agricultural commodities. Agriculture Joint Director T. Nandaiah, Deputy Director I. Ramakrishna Murthy and others were present.

Nellore named after Potti Sreeramulu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121561180400.htm)




HYDERABAD: Fulfilling a long-pending demand from a cross-section of people, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced here on Friday that Nellore district would be named after Potti Sreeramulu, who sacrificed his life demanding a separate State for the Telugus.

The announcement came a day ahead of the 55th death anniversary of ‘Amarajeevi’ on December 15 after the Chief Minister discussed the issue with elected representatives and senior officials. The district will hereafter be called “Amarajeevi Potti Sreeramulu district”. The new name will be adopted at a ceremony to be organised after formal approval of the decision by the Union Government. Dr. Reddy recalled that Sreeramulu had launched his historic fast-unto-death at Madras on October 19, 1952, demanding Andhra State. Mahatma Gandhi once remarked: “I would have achieved freedom for the country in one year if there had been at least 10 leaders like Potti Sreeramulu with me.”

DDRC meet to discuss location of airport (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/15/stories/2007121553630300.htm)



ONGOLE: The District Development Review Committee (DDRC) meeting to be held here on Saturday would debate on the location of airport on Kothapatnam road 12 km from Ongole. Though the district administration sent three alternative sites for locating the airport, the site available on Kothapatnam road seems to be easiest for allotment. Following a plea from M Sreenivasulu Reddy, MP, to locate an airport near Ongole, the Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (INCAP) sought proposals for acquiring 600 acres required for the purpose.

The district administration initially wanted to find the land on NH 5 between Ongole and Medaramitla so that the airport could be accessible to both Guntur and Prakasam districts. It found 400 acres vacant in the industrial growth centre at Gundlapalli and proposed to get the land alienated for airport.

But Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation stoutly refused to part with the land. Though APIIC acquired 1300 acres at Gundlapalli for industrial growth centre two decades ago, it could use only 600 acres till now for allotment of plots to prospective industrialists. Many of the allottees did not start any industry till now. Also about 1000 acres abutting industrial growth centre is available for acquisition.

So the district administration proposed to allot 400 acres of vacant land for airport so that it would stimulate industrial growth in the remaining area. But APIIC flatly refused the proposal saying that the project was taken up with the Central Government funds and the land can not be used for other purposes.

The district administration searched for alternative lands and found 700 acres available between Allur and Aloor villages three km north of Ongole-Kothapatnam road. The land was assigned to landless poor more than two decades ago. But the assignees did not occupy the land till date violating the conditions imposed. The administration proposed to cancel the assignment and alienate the same for airport purpose.

Third alternative is 500 acres of private land available between Velagapudi and Tallapalem on the eastern side of Tangutur. The land belonged to industrialist Bellam Kotaiah and his family members. He expressed a wish to donate the land on the condition that the airport should be named after him. He is also willing to sell away the land at government rate.

The DDRC is expected to discuss these alternatives and take a final decision on Saturday.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121658400100.htm
Flyover at Benz Circle soon
VIJAYAWADA: Traffic snarl at Benz Circle is soon likely to be a thing of the past. The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) will construct a flyover at Benz Circle to ease traffic congestion and has asked New Delhi-based Consulting Engineering Services (CES) to prepare a Detailed Project Report for the flyover, according to Municipal Commissioner Natarajan Gulzar.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Gulzar said CES would submit the report in a month. The corporation was proposing to construct the flyover as part of the Bus Rapid Transit System project that would cost Rs. 152.64 crores. Although the cost of the flyover was yet to be finalised, the amount was roughly estimated at Rs. 12 crores.

Mr. Gulzar said they had invited tenders for execution of the BRTS project. During the first leg of the project, the corporation would lay roads at a cost of Rs. 14 crores, and construct two bridges at Machavaram and near the Central Warehousing Corporation at an expenditure of Rs. 11 crores.

EPC basis: The VMC is proposing to construct the flyover on the Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) basis. It has asked the consultant to design the flyover in such a way that the traffic coming from Eluru Road, NTR University of Health Sciences, Five Number route, and other places could go directly towards Krishnalanka and Kanakadurga Varadhi without waiting at Benz Circle.

The VMC also wanted the BRTS buses to ply on the long service roads that start at Ramavarappadu on National Highway -5, and pass via Eenadu office, and take a ‘U turn’ at NTR Circle and go towards PWD Grounds on Bandar Road.

Shot in the arm for BPL (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121654540400.htm)



HYDERABAD: In a significant development, the government has allowed two major benefits to M/s. BPL Company to revive its 520-MW power project at Ramagundam.

Firstly, it has accepted BPL’s proposal to allow a 16 per cent return on equity (the developer’s investment, barring loans and lands), higher by 2 per cent than what has been allowed to any power project so far.

It has also agreed to bear the burden arising out of the “rupee-dollar exchange fluctuations”, covering the project’s foreign loan component projected at 54 per cent of the investment. In the original power purchase agreement (PPA), the BPL was asked to bear this risk. Highly-placed sources say that the Rosaiah Committee on power sector has cleared these sops last week and BPL will soon be asked to revive the project.

A senior Energy official justified the decision to allow 16 per cent return on the ground that it was in line with the Centre’s policy. Experts, who fear that value of rupee against dollar may not be as stable, see serious implications in protecting the company against rupee-dollar fluctuations. A loss of one rupee in case of its depreciation against the dollar will lead to an extra burden of Rs. 30 crore considering that the loan comprises 54 per cent of the project’s investment of Rs. 2,750 crore. The Government has earlier scrapped the PPA with M/s BPL as the company has not achieved financial closure and transferred the project to AP Genco. The decision to hand over the project back to the BPL is seen by critics as a “virtual somersault” of the earlier stand.

Runway expansion to accommodate bigger aircraft (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/16/stories/2007121659990300.htm)



VIJAYAWADA: In all probability, the runway of Gannavaram airport will be expanded to 2,286 metres only from the existing 1,745 m in the first phase of the airport’s development so that bigger aircraft like Airbus 321 will land here fulfilling the long-standing aspirations of the travelling public for improved air connectivity.

Originally, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) wanted to expand the runway up to 2,800 metres but it is being revised to 2,286 metres with a view to avoiding the issue of land acquisition and also seeing that the works in first phase should begin as early as possible. The AAI officials have said immediate effort will be placed on creating infrastructure facilities at the airport to enable starting of operations by the slightly bigger aircraft with seating capacities of about 185. It is learnt that some airliners have already expressed willingness to start A321 operations once the relevant facilities are created at the airport.

Delay


As there is a view that considerable delay has been made in beginning works in the first phase, the AAI officials have apparently cut short the proposed length of the runway for expansion. Moreover, if the runway is to be expanded up to 2,800 m, a need will arise for acquiring additional land and that will mean unavoidable delay.

With the first phase expansion being planned within the available land of Gannavaram airport, the AAI officials have ruled out delay in executing the expansion works here despite the fact that the public want local people’s representatives to bring pressure on the Union Civil Aviation Ministry in this matter.

AAI Executive Director (planning) G.K. Chaukiyal told The Hindu that there would not be any delay and the whole plan of expansion was being pursued in accordance with the memorandum of understanding that was reached with the State Government with regard to Gannavaram airport.

The leaders of Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry have said that if the expansion works were not taken up immediately to enable landing of bigger aircraft, it would only damage the prospects of Vijayawada’s development when compared with other tier two cities.

Andhra Chamber president Mallineni Rajaiah said the matter has been represented to local MP Lagadapati Rajagopal saying that further delay in increasing air connectivity would result in a greater loss to the city’s prospects for development as a whole. Chamber former president Gokaraju Gangaraju said there was an urgent need to expand the air strip so that bigger aircraft would be able to start operations boosting growth of industry and trade.

Eenadu reports:
==
Polavaram Dam will be completed by 2010
Works are in progress in non-forest areas
7.2 Lakh acres land to benefit from irrigation
960 MW power generation
80 TMC water supply for Krishna Delta
25 TMC water for Vizag
52 Mtr high dam wall

==

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/12/17/stories/2007121751651500.htm

16 The industrial investment in Andhra Pradesh during the period 2004–07 has been of the order of Rs 10,570 crore, with the setting up of 6,092 units.

In contrast, the figures for the previous three years (2001–04 during the TDP rule), were Rs 4,524 crore and the number of units opened was 5,046 units.

Giving this information, the State Government has claimed that the continuing good performance and investment climate in the State is expected to make it the top destination for investments, ahead of Gujarat, soon.

“I have no doubt that AP will surpass Gujarat in industrial infrastructure and investments in a host of leather, textiles, IT, automobile and Bio-technology products, said the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, during a review meeting on the progress of SEZs held in the Secretariat today.

Sectoral performance


Mr Reddy said the cement production in the State would go up from the present 29 million tonnes to 33 million tonnes with new investment in the sector.

Similarly, the capacity in steel sector will grow phenomenally from 4.5 million tonnes to 18 million tonnes. The turnover in the pharma sector will also increase to Rs 20,000 crore from the present 12,000 crore in the next three years, triggering pharma export to Rs 11,000 crore from the present Rs 7,000 crore.

The Chief Minister said the production levels in the textiles sector will almost double in view of the Rs 9,000 crore investments proposed in the coming years.

The Principal Secretary (Industries), Mr B. Sam Bob, informed the Chief Minister that 70 SEZs have been approved for the State, of which 46 have already been notified and are being developed over 6,894 hectares at a cost of Rs 32,525 crore.

SEZ approvals


Of these, 24 SEZs have received in-principle approval and are being set up in 1,250 hectares. On completion of all the projects, the SEZs will generate employment for 25 lakh persons, of which they had already created 10,000 jobs.
Multi-product SEZs are being grounded in 5,500 acres near Visakhapatnam and 8,000 acres in Kakinada. The IFFCO Kisan SEZ in 2,700 acres and Sri city SEZ in 2,526 acres will provide 2.30 lakh direct jobs and 1.50 lakh indirect jobs, said the Chief Minister.

Accord on port by January-end (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/17/stories/2007121758510300.htm)



MACHILIPATNAM: The State Government will enter into an agreement with the Maytas Infra Private Limited, the firm that has been given the contract for developing the Machilipatnam port, by January-end after the Cabinet clears the proposal, according to Major Industries Minister J. Geetha Reddy.

Addressing a meeting after laying the foundation stone for an Imitation Jewellery Park at Pothepalli near here on Sunday, Ms. Reddy brushed aside reports that the Government was going back on the proposal to develop the port. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had given a definite commitment in this regard, and the port would be developed at the earliest, she asserted. She said several power industries, including a 1,000-mega watt power plant by Maytas, a 2,000-mega watt plant by the NTPC and the AP Genco and another 1,000-mega watt plant by Gayatri, would come up near the port once it was fully developed. In addition, a paper mill would also come up.

Ms. Reddy complimented the local manufacturers of imitation jewellery for coming together for an industrial park. APIIC Chairman and Managing Director B.P. Acharya said that the park would provide employment to 40,000 people. A common facility centre had also been granted here.

‘Metro culture picking up in the country’ (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/17/stories/2007121758420300.htm)



http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/17/images/2007121758420301.jpg

Proud moment: Managing Trustee of Dr. Pinnamaneni and Smt. Seethadevi Foundation C. Nageswara Rao and his wife Sudha presenting the award to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Managing Director E. Sreedharan (right) in Vijayawada on Sunday. —

VIJAYAWADA: E. Sreedharan, Managing Director of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), has attributed the success of Delhi Metro to the use of best technologies and adherence to punctuality, integrity and highest values at every stage of the implementation of the project.

“The success of Delhi Metro has helped in spreading metro culture all over the country. It is evident from the way many State Governments and cities are rushing for getting such a project,” he said on Sunday.

Dr. Sreedharan was speaking on ‘Delhi Metro – A Success Story’ after receiving Dr. Pinnamaneni and Smt. Seethadevi Foundation award for 2007 at a function here.

Foundation chairman P.L.N. Prasad presided over the function, while managing trustee C. Nageswara Rao and others were present. Senior journalist Andavalli Satyanarayana gave a small brief on the activities of the foundation.

He said it was a matter of pride for the Delhi Metro that Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and scores of other cities had started nursing the aspiration of having a good metro rail system to make transportation easier and pleasurable for the people of there.

The DMRC’s human resources were under great demand. For Hyderabad, a high speed rail connection was being planned to connect Begumpet and the International Airport at Shamshabad.

“The distance is nearly 43 kms and it will be covered in just 24 minutes in this system,” he said.

Dr. Sreedharan said small and lean teams of dedicated professionals were major contributing factors behind the successful implementation of the first phase of Delhi Metro much in advance of the scheduled time.

It was ensured that there were no clerks or peons in the system to the extent that officials of the rank of joint secretary to the Government had to fend for themselves, which worked wonders in avoiding corruption and enabling fast-paced decision making, he added.

He opined that a Metro system would be more viable than the proposed Bus Rapid Transit System for Vijayawada.

Cabinet nod for BPL project revival (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/18/stories/2007121854100400.htm)



HYDERABAD: The Cabinet, at its meeting here on Monday, gave the green signal for the revival of M/s BPL’s power project at Ramagundam with an installed capacity of 600 MW against 520 MW planned originally.

To facilitate the revival (sought by the Centre on the request of Japan), the Cabinet decided to reinstate the original power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with M/ s BPL. AP Transco had earlier terminated the PPA and handed over the project to the AP Genco for execution as the BPL failed to achieve financial closure.

Information Minister A. Ramanarayan Reddy told reporters later that M/s BPL would, however stick to the cost structure finalised by the Rosaiah Committee on power sector that suggested Rs. 4.76 crore a MW and a levelised tariff of Rs. 1.79 a unit.

AP Transco and the distribution companies would get necessary approvals from the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission for the reinstated PPA.

On the controversial issue of shifting to consumers the burden of rupee-dollar rate fluctuations covering the loan taken by M/s. BPL, the Cabinet resolved that “appropriate cost hedging and swapping to take care of the foreign exchange variations should be allowed”.

The Minister claimed that the company had now reduced the cost of the project from Rs. 2,650 crore to Rs. 2,475 crore due to depreciation of the dollar against the rupee.

Pipelining work of Indirasagar gets under way (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/18/stories/2007121860380500.htm)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The project will benefit two lakh acres

Laying of pipelines will be completed in one year

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http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/18/images/2007121860380501.jpg

Ambitious agenda: The pipe laying work under Indirasagar lift scheme in progress. -

RUDRAMKOTA (Khammam dist ): Pipelining work for the Rs. 1,824 crore Indirasagar lift scheme, a multi-purpose irrigation project aimed at intra-basin transfer of water, got underway.

The work is in progress in six segments of the 70 km-long stretch starting from Vasantawada village, where the head works will come up soon. The three-lined piping, designed to carry some 18,000 cusecs of water drawn from Godavari river, will benefit 2 lakh acres of area in Khammam, West Godavari and Krishna districts.

A Russian firm, which has been entrusted with the work, had set up three pipe manufacturing units along the side of the water supply channel route.

A fourth unit will commence production of the huge cement coated steel pipes (each of 3 m diameter) very soon.

Some 11-km. pipes were manufactured so far.

The company is adding to the production by one fourth of a km every day. It had completed the pipe laying in a 1.5 km-long stretch and the pipeline work is expected to be completed within one year . The land acquisition in a five km-long stretch is already completed.

The progress of the pipelining is likely to depend more or less on the progress of the land acquisition.

The project which was sans any major deforestation would be completed ahead of the four-year construction schedule, said Superintending Engineer of Dummugudem Circle A.V.S. Muralikrishna.

Two modifications were made in the original design. A balancing reservoir of two tmc capacity would come up at Boligattu and 5 km-long main intake canal would be constructed from 0 to 5 km. of the channel.

“Golden hour” to be reduced to 15 minutes (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121955390600.htm)



HYDERABAD: Plans have been drawn up to reduce the time gap between a call to phone number 108 to attend a medical emergency and arrival of the Rajiv Arogyasri ambulances sent by the Government through the Emergency Management & Research Institute (EMRI) to 10 to 15 minutes hereafter.

To facilitate reduction of time gap, the Government has agreed to provide another 500 ambulance vehicles to the EMRI, 300 by April and another 200 by August. This will take total fleet of EMRI in the State to a high of 1,002.

The EMRI operates now 502 ambulances, employing over 3,500 people and using software and other skills provided by Satyam Computers.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy cleared the proposal for handing over another 500 vehicles to the EMRI at a high level meeting here on Tuesday, while reviewing EMRI performance so far. Health & Family Welfare Minister S. Chandrasekhar and Venkat Chengavalli, CEO, EMRI, told reporters later that Rajiv Arogyasri project would be able to tackle 30 lakh emergencies annually once the fleet strength was increased to 1,000 as against 10 lakhs now, and save 50,000 lives.

At present, the EMRI received 35,000 calls a day and saved 70 lives on an average.

The ambulances saved 18,300 lives during last eight months, reaching the accident spot within the “golden hour”. Mr Chengavalli said they had signed agreements with 1,640 private hospitals to provide free treatment for 24 hours to an emergency case brought by Rajiv Arogyasri ambulances.

The entire Rajiv Arogyasri project would be worth Rs 150 crores by next year (Rs 70 crore now).

He unveiled a Rs 200-crore project to introduce mobile hospitals in rural areas from January 26.

Minister: A.P. model of SEZs is the best (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121955510700.htm)



HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh’s Major Industries Minister J. Geeta Reddy expressed confidence that the State would never ever witness a situation like Nandigram in West Bengal. Speaking at ‘SEZ Forum 2007’, organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) here on Tuesday, she said that the AP model of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) was the most proactive and investor-friendly and one that took the farmer as a stakeholder. Land was acquired in such a way that the farmers had no heartburn. Dr. Geeta Reddy recalled how the country’s first Export Promotion Zone in Kandla, Gujarat, set up in 1965 had changed the region.

She also lauded the efforts of the SEZ pioneers in Andhra Pradesh.

World-class digital library in JNTU Anantapur soon (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121951050200.htm)



ANANTAPUR: The digital library to be set up on the campus of JNTU College of Engineering here would be a world-class facility both for the students and the teachers, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) K. Rajagopal said here on Tuesday.

Online access


Once completed the students of the college could access information from any online library across the world and improve their knowledge, he said while addressing the students of the college after Governor N.D. Tiwari’s programme was cancelled due to bad weather.

The Governor was scheduled to inaugurate the new central library building on the campus.

Disappointed


The V-C told the students not to get disappointed for missing an opportunity to interact with the Governor and said he would definitely try to invite the Governor for some other occasion later.

The Governor’s helicopter could not take off in Tirupati due to bad weather and the programme had to be cancelled, he explained. The library would, be inaugurated by the Governor himself online from Hyderabad at a later date.

Reputation


He claimed that JNTU students had earned a reputation of making it big in life due to the standard education offered in the university. The university had 462 affiliated colleges and was probably the largest university in the world.

Rector of the university B.C. Jinega, Registrar Lal Kishore, Principal K. Soundararajan and several other dignitaries spoke on the occasion.

Decks cleared for work on RIMS (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121953280300.htm)



State makes an initial release of Rs. 100 crores

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Work on hospital premises begins today

RIMS to have four floors


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SRIKAKULAM: Work on the Rajiv Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) begins on the Government headquarters hospital premises here on Wednesday.

A medical college was sanctioned for Srikakulam district and there was some uncertainty about its location as some persons wanted it to be located in Etcherla, while others in Srikakulam. Finally, the Government issued orders finalising the location at the Government hospital premises here. The Government sanctioned Rs. 119 crores for construction of the college building, quarters etc. and the AP Medical and Health Housing Infrastructure Corporation was entrusted with the task of executing the project. Lanco Infrastructure Company had bagged the tenders for construction of RIMS building. The project is to be completed in one year.

The Government had sanctioned three medical colleges, one each at Adialabad, Ongole and Srikakulam in the State and made an initial release of Rs.100 crores. According to Appala Naidu, executive engineer, Medical and Health Housing Corporation, the intake will be 100 students each year. The RIMS will require 500-bed hospital and construction of 300-bed hospital will be taken up first. The Medical Council of India will inspect the infrastructure and these works will have to be completed by the end of April next. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is scheduled to formally lay the foundation for works during the first week of January, but green signal is given to go ahead with the works.

AP order on tax sops to SEZs soon (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121951072300.htm)



Hyderabad, Dec. 18 The Andhra Pradesh Government will issue orders providing for a wide range of tax exemptions being sought by the developers of special economic zones soon. “The Andhra Pradesh Special Economic Zones Bill has been sent to the Centre. Meanwhile, we are taking all measures to address the requests from SEZ developers. The orders providing for exemption of VAT and stamp duty, among others, will be issued very shortly,” Mr Sam Bob, Principal Secretary, State Dept of Industries and Commerce, said at the ‘SEZ Forum’ here.

Minister: A.P. model of SEZs is the best (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121955510700.htm)

But why the farmers are up in arms in her own constituency Gajwel in Medak district when she says it's farmers friendly procurement of agricultural lands for SEZs model in A.P. ?

YSR to lay stone for IIIT (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/20/stories/2007122055210800.htm)



VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy will lay the stone for the proposed IIIT campus at Nuzvid on Friday.

The State has allocated 80 acres of land for the institute and will spend some Rs. 1,200 crores for creating space of 60 lakh sq. ft.

Robo cleaner is here (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/20/stories/2007122059290300.htm)



GUNTUR: Sweep, lift and clean at one go! The fully automated JCB skid steer loader robot can do more. Put into use on a trial basis at the busy Sankar Vilas Junction here on Wednesday, the mechanised loader demonstrated the various works of cleaning the roads, lifting a variety of particles and dumping them away.

Robots are being used to clean roads at metros and the Guntur Municipal Corporation too decided to give it a try by calling for a demonstration of its functions.

The robot was brought here by the JCB Company and its personnel started the cleaning job in the presence of City Mayor Kanna Nagaraju and Municipal Commissioner Siddhartha Jain. ``The loader can lift and store garbage of 600 kg and could clear 8-10 k.m roads in an hour. It works on hydraulic and hydrostatic principles. The machine consisting of a buckets with which it can lift the load,” said the salesman of the company.

The Commissioner said that he would take into consideration the expenses towards the fuel cost and the maintenance before giving the nod to procure the machine which would cost about Rs. 25 lakh.

I Guess Guntur is More Concentrating On Sanitation & Giving Stiff Comptetion To Other Cities & Metros Way To Go......:cheers:

Airports authority official inspects expansion works (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/20/stories/2007122052840300.htm)


Rajahmundry: K. Ramalingam, Regional Executive Director of Southern Region, Airports Authority of India (AAI), visited Rajahmundry (Madhurapudi) airport on Tuesday. According to a press release issued by the authorities on Wednesday, Mr. Ramalingam reviewed the works pertained to upgradation of the airport. The authorities said that the existing airport was being upgraded with the construction of a new terminal building at an estimated cost of Rs. 47 crores and expansion of the existing runway to enable operation of Boeing 737 type aircraft initially and Air Bus 320 and Air Bus 300 aircraft later. Night landing facility with state-of-the-art communication and navigational system was also being planned. The works were likely to be completed in two years.

Considering the constrains in the existing infrastructure at the airport, the official directed the local AAI authorities to renovate and remodel the existing terminal building to enhance the passengers occupancy capacity.

Robo cleaner is here (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/20/stories/2007122059290300.htm)




I Guess Guntur is More Concentrating On Sanitation & Giving Stiff Comptetion To Other Cities & Metros Way To Go......:cheers:

Even Eluru & Rajahmundry Municipal Corporations Gonna Add These Machines.....Source (http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20071219223645&Page=A&Headline=Robots+to+do+sanitary+work&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0)

Robo cleaner is here (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/20/stories/2007122059290300.htm)




I Guess Guntur is More Concentrating On Sanitation & Giving Stiff Comptetion To Other Cities & Metros Way To Go......:cheers:

How many workers will this displace?It will be better to give employment in an overpopulated country like ours with so many jobless uneducated youth.Capital cost of Rs25 lacs fuel charges and maintenance expenditure is not beneficial to the muncipality as against employing manual labour.

How many workers will this displace?It will be better to give employment in an overpopulated country like ours with so many jobless uneducated youth.Capital cost of Rs25 lacs fuel charges and maintenance expenditure is not beneficial to the muncipality as against employing manual labour.

Perhaps It Will Drastically Reduce The Time To Clean Roads Rather Doing Manually Better Provide Good Jobs To Those Who Loose Them Why Should We Wake Them Up So Early In The Morning Do Such Kinda Exaustive Job.

Perhaps It Will Drastically Reduce The Time To Clean Roads Rather Doing Manually Better Provide Good Jobs To Those Who Loose Them Why Should We Wake Them Up So Early In The Morning Do Such Kinda Exaustive Job.

What sorts of Good jobs is in your mind that can be provided? Are not call center employees slogging day and night for some overseas companies without proper sleep untimely food and no leave for their festivals.Is it good job according to you.

What sorts of Good jobs is in your mind that can be provided? Are not call center employees slogging day and night for some overseas companies without proper sleep untimely food and no leave for their festivals.Is it good job according to you.

As i mentioned it's hard to clean the roads in the night why are you comparing them with that of call center employees they just have some breaks in the middle.they are enclosed in a building,is it that hard to just attend a call when there's a hefty pay by the end??? i don't understand why do you compare sweepers with call center employees..... :nuts:

Registration fee to go up in 9 A.P. cities (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/21/stories/2007122154690600.htm)



HYDERABAD: Market values of lands and other properties will be increased by 15 to 20 per cent in Hyderabad and eight other cities in the State with effect from April 1 for purposes of registration.

The registration charges payable on purchase and transfer of lands/ properties in these cities will also go up. Apart from Hyderabad, the other cities are Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Guntur, Warangal, Tirupati and urban areas in Ranga Reddy district.

Once the market values are revised, the cost of registering properties may become prohibitive. The Government is hoping to mop up funds in view of the property boom in urban areas across the State.

Land near Kothapatnam selected for airport (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/21/stories/2007122151350300.htm)



ONGOLE: The district administration has finally selected 634 acres on Ongole-Kothapatnam road 7.5 km from here for location of airport. According to reliable information available here on Thursday, District Collector K Devanand recommended the land for airport in the feasibility report he sent to Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (INCAP). Though the land is beset with several problems, the Collector chose it because the other two alternative lands were found to be not feasible.

The Government poramboke land to an extent of 634 acres is available between Alur and Allur villages on Kothapatnam road.

Easy access


Though the land was assigned to poor people two decades ago, they did not occupy it till now. So the district administration plans to cancel the pattas and alienate the land to INCAP for development of airport. The flyover constructed across the Chennai-Vijayawada railway lines near Ongole station provides easy access from Ongole to the proposed land. A four-lane road need to be laid over a distance of 7.5 km from the flyover to the airport. The land is in rectangular shape with length of four km from east to west which would be suitable to lay the runway for landing of even big aircract.

But it is black soil with a thickness of 18 feet and foundation need to be laid to a depth of 10-15 feet for any structure. Further ground water can not be exploited due to salinity and poor yield which makes water transport essential. Further, water logging conditions prevail in the proposed area and heavy logging is expected during monsoon. The land is eight kms from the sea. The administration had considered two other alternative sites – at Gundlapalli and Tangutur on Chennai-Kolkatta NH No 5. About 700 acres is available with Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation at Gundlapalli and it is accessible not only for Ongole but also for Guntur, Tenali, Chilakaluripet, Narsaraopet etc and is best suited for airport. But APIIC refused to part with the land stating that it was acquired for promoting industries. About 600 acres of private land belonging to tobacco baron Bellam Kotaiah and his family members is available near Tangutur. He is willing to donate the land on the condition that the airport be named after him. He is also willing to sell away the land at government rate. The district administration found both these lands are not feasible. So it recommended Kothapatnam land despite its inherent weaknesses.

Leaders urged to act for early expansion of airport (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/21/stories/2007122158600300.htm)



VIJAYAWADA: Speakers at an interactive session between industrialists and the public on one side and the officials of the Gannavaram airport on the other, organised by the Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry, made a plea to local political leaders to exert pressure on the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to begin works on the first-phase expansion of the airport.

All-round development

They wanted the MPs from the district to use their good offices in Delhi to ensure that there was no further delay in the starting and execution of works for the expansion of the airport, as it was necessary for the all-round development of the region.

While the airport officials, who did not want to be named in the media because of service rules, said the Gannavaram airport had the potential for expansion so as to receive even Boeing 747s, industrialists said political leaders were not taking enough interest in pushing the airport’s expansion plan, although their counterparts in other parts of the State were far ahead in this respect.

“At Calicut, they brought enormous pressure on the Government. It worked wonders and that airport was expanded in a table-top form. Now even a jumbo jet can land there. Such a development and even more is possible here too,” said one of the officials.

He pointed out that there was a time when it was considered that there was no scope for expansion of the runway at Calicut airport, but things changed overnight once money was pumped in following pressure from local people. “Similar pressure should come from the public in Vijayawada and surrounding areas,” the official said.

Several industrialists took objection to misconceptions being created over the expansion of the Gannavaram airport and they wanted the State and Central Governments to act swiftly to remove further scope for circulation of such rumours.

“We have spoken to local MP Rajagopal over the matter. He has made some observations about this. The industry will do everything possible to move the Government to act fast on the airport,” said Mallineni Rajaiah, president of the Andhra Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Among others, industrialists D. Ramakrishna, Muthavarapu Murali Krishna and Nalluri Venkateswarlu were present.

I Really Don't Understand When There's An Urgent Need For An Access Of The Airport Government Still Not Considering it.A Small Town Like Calicut Got An International Airport.Why Should We Put Our Commercial Capital Vijayawada Far Behind In The Race.....It Says Where There's A Will There's A Way......Hope So Our Local Political Honchos Do Consider As Early As Possible Or Else They May Loose Their Edge In The Locality.

‘APIIITs will have 12,000 students by 2014’ (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/22/stories/2007122253680400.htm)



The institute, which would begin functioning from July 2008, will have Rs. 900-crore budget
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The other two IIIT campuses coming up at Idupulapaya and Basar

The institutes will offer a six-year integrated course for students who passed SSC
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http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/22/images/2007122253680401.jpg

Dream project: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy laying foundation stone for IIIT at Nuzvid in Krishna district on Friday.

NUZVID: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday said the Andhra Pradesh International Institute of Information Technology (APIIIT) being set up here would have a budget of Rs. 900-crore.

He was speaking after laying foundation stone for the APIIIT here, one of the three campuses proposed under the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies.

The other two Andhra Pradesh International Institute of Information Technology campuses are coming up at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district and Basar in Adilabad district.

Intake

Dr. Reddy, said these institutions would begin functioning from July 2008, with an intake of 500 students each. But when they became fully functional, they would have an intake of 2,000 students every year.

As they would be offering a six-year integrated course for students who passed SSC, each of these institutions would have a total strength of 12,000 students by 2014.

The Chief Minister said that the idea of setting up these institutions came when the Government got with much difficulty and after a long struggle an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Medak district.

“We felt the need to set up an institution like the IIT on our own, and we modelled these institutions on the lines of the successfully functioning IIIT in Hyderabad,” he observed.

Of the total budget of Rs.900 crore for the APIIIT here, Rs.150 crore would be earmarked in the next year’s budget.

Educational hub

Dr. Reddy said Nuzvid is famous as an educational hub, and hence, a decision had been taken to set up one of the three APIIITs here.

The dreams that the late Rajiv Gandhi nursed in the field of technology would be put into practice here, he remarked, and raised the slogan ‘Johar Rajiv Gandhi’ thrice.

Machilipatnam port

The Chief Minister also asserted that the foundation stone for the Machilipatnam port would be laid in a couple of months. Ministers K. Rosaiah (Finance), Dharmana Prasada Rao (Revenue), Mandali Buddha Prasad (Animal Husbandry), Pinnamaneni Venkateswara Rao (Rural Water Supply), Machilipatnam Member of Parliament Badiga Ramakrishna, Nuzvid legislator Meka Venkata Pratapa Appa Rao and others were present.

NUZVID: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Friday said the Andhra Pradesh International Institute of Information Technology (APIIIT) being set up here would have a budget of Rs. 900-crore.

He was speaking after laying foundation stone for the APIIIT here, one of the three campuses proposed under the Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies.

The other two Andhra Pradesh International Institute of Information Technology campuses are coming up at Idupulapaya in Kadapa district and Basar in Adilabad district.


I think congress govt in AP is out of their mind .. what kind of faculty is the government expecting to teach in those remote areas. Even the IITs at gauhati and roorkee are not able to attract good faculty due to their geographic locations. I think govt has to spend money in improving the quality of the existing institutions rather than spending money on building these "yet another IIIT's".

OMC to fund phase-I of steel plant (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/23/stories/2007122354610600.htm)



AMBAVARAM (KADAPA): The first phase of the mega steel plant of Bramhani Industries Limited (BIL) with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes, being established with an outlay of Rs. 4,500 crore, will be totally funded by the Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC), BIL Chairman and Managing Director Gali Janardhana Reddy said on Sunday.

The initial promoters’ contribution of Rs. 450 crore is in account and Rs. 90 crore was spent on acquiring land and other infrastructure so far, Mr. Reddy told newsmen in the presence of Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at Ambavaram.

BIL paid Rs. 19 crore to the Government for 10,670 acres of land allotted to the steel plant, spent 2.50 crore for pipelines being laid for drawing water, Rs. 2 crore for compound wall and Rs. 1.80 crore for finalised contracts, he said.

The first phase would be completed in the next 12 months, he said.

OMC would invest Rs. 1,050 crore in the steel plant by March 2008 and would invest Rs. 3,000 crore to be accrued from iron ore export earnings, he said. It neither approached banks nor any financial institutions so far, he said. BIL might go for a public issue for the second phase costing Rs. 10,000 crore or the promoters may raise own contributions two years later, he said.

The steel plant secured pre-environment clearance and is awaiting a public hearing following which final environmental clearance would be obtained.

Water is being drawn from Mylavaram reservoir now, and two tmc. was allocated from Gandikota reservoir.

Mr. Reddy sought permission to draw water either from Gandikota or Mylavaram reservoirs for the first phase and Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy assured to consider the feasibility.

Blast furnace order was placed with a Chinese company and machinery would be supplied in nine months while Mecon was awarded Rs. 90-crore contract for engineering works, BIL Joint Managing Director D.N. Rao said. Discussions were in progress with four international suppliers on coke ovens, he said.

A sinter plant with 80 per cent sinter and 20 per cent lump ore would be set up. Orders would be placed in March for a steel workshop and roller mills. A 33 kv. sub-station is ready.

YSR promises land for aviation varsity, airport (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/23/stories/2007122357830700.htm)



AMBAVARAM (KADAPA DT.): Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday assured allocation of 3,170.69 acres of land for an aviation university and commercial airport to be established by Bramhani Industries Ltd. at Ambavaram in Jammalamadugu constituency.

The Chief Minister visited Ambavaram and interacted with BIL officials on the progress of the mega steel plant.

He directed BIL authorities to pay higher compensation than that paid by the government to the displaced under irrigation projects.

Second steel plant in Kadapa soon: CM (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/24/stories/2007122452220300.htm)



KADAPA: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced on Sunday that a second steel plant would come up in Kadapa city in addition to the one in Jammalamadugu.

Speaking at the valedictory function of the four-day Kadapa bicentenary celebrations here, he said negotiations were in progress and the government would finalise a proposal within 10 days for the second steel plant in Kadapa district. It would provide direct employment to about 8,000 persons and indirect employment to thrice the number. Stating that Visakhapatnam underwent extensive development on account of Vizag Steel Plant, Dr. Reddy said two steel plants would trigger tremendous development in Kadapa district too.

Recalling the agitations spearheaded by him about two decades ago for irrigation projects, he said, Gandikota reservoir works were not taken up until his government came to power. His government expedited works and released irrigation water to 50,000 acres last year. Recalling former Minister B. Veera Reddy’s long cherished desire to see Telugu Ganga completed in his lifetime, he said his dreams were fulfilled in his regime, after Veera Reddy’s demise.

Information Technology park and Singapore township works in Kadapa city would commence shortly, Dr. Reddy said.

TUDA nod for multiplex project (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/24/stories/2007122452190300.htm)



TIRUPATI: Tirupati Urban Development Authority (TUDA) formally gave the ‘Letter of Award’ to SBPL Infrastructure Ltd., Hyderabad for construction of a Rs.134 crore multiplex project in the heart of the city. TUDA Chairman C. Bhaskar Reddy said the project would be executed on a ‘build, operate and transfer’ (BOT) basis. TUDA would get Rs.134 crore during the lease period of 33 years, apart from the development fee of Rs.1.14 crore.

All those proposed for every district and town are a waste of money.
We need only need three airports , Hyderabad , near Kakinada and Tirupati.
The rest will go kaput as oil prices rise and airlines go into losses.

All those proposed for every district and town are a waste of money.
We need only need three airports , Hyderabad , near Kakinada and Tirupati.
The rest will go kaput as oil prices rise and airlines go into losses.

Oh Ya But I Guess Are You Sure Of Your Knowledge????? Doubts Prevail Coz You Think There's Only Hyderabad,Tirupati & Kakinada That's Only A.P.:nuts:

Oh Ya But I Guess Are You Sure Of Your Knowledge????? Doubts Prevail Coz You Think There's Only Hyderabad,Tirupati & Kakinada That's Only A.P.:nuts:

Upendora is right except for Kakinada it should be Vizag.There are many places in A.P every body has got that knowledge but all that are not viable.:hahaha:

Upendora is right except for Kakinada it should be Vizag.There are many places in A.P every body has got that knowledge but all that are not viable.:hahaha:

I guess its not just "many places in AP" that matters. Its more about population, business potential, need for mobility for ppl ... If you ever spend a day at places like Rajahmundry and Vijayawada and roam around on the roads, you will understand what Bobbie is talking about. would you know how many ppl travel to Hyd or Chennai from the coastal districts per day to catch a flight for national/international destinations ...
please talk to ppl who travel by road/train to n fro the coastal districts - they could give you an idea ...

I am proposing an ideal case. One international airport for north coastal area is enough. For that money for developing other airports, we can have high speed trains. Thats how railways are developed bit by bit, not grandiose plans which never start. There is no need spend public money for develop domestic airports anymore. Btw, did you guys miss my point about airlines going down. People will airtravel 5 times less than now when prices skyrocket.

However we don't live in ideal world. Airports will be announced everywhere to propup real estate values. The end result is lost public money.


I guess its not just "many places in AP" that matters. Its more about population, business potential, need for mobility for ppl ... If you ever spend a day at places like Rajahmundry and Vijayawada and roam around on the roads, you will understand what Bobbie is talking about. would you know how many ppl travel to Hyd or Chennai from the coastal districts per day to catch a flight for national/international destinations ...
please talk to ppl who travel by road/train to n fro the coastal districts - they could give you an idea ...

I guess its not just "many places in AP" that matters. Its more about population, business potential, need for mobility for ppl ... If you ever spend a day at places like Rajahmundry and Vijayawada and roam around on the roads, you will understand what Bobbie is talking about. would you know how many ppl travel to Hyd or Chennai from the coastal districts per day to catch a flight for national/international destinations ...
please talk to ppl who travel by road/train to n fro the coastal districts - they could give you an idea ...

Yes Babji There Must Be Atleast Two Intl Airports In Coastal Andhra That Could Be Vizag,Vijayawada.....Similarly Small Airports To Cater The Needs Of Densely Populated Coastal Districts Where There Can't Be Much Hue Hurry Burry To Flonk The Doors Of Chennai Intl to Catch International Flights.With Such Airports We Can Drastically Reduce The Mess in That Metro Cities.

SEZs in rapid implementation mode: KPMG (http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14580371)



Hyderabad: Most of the technology sector special economic zones (SEZs) have gone into implementation mode and are set to serve as growth engines in the country.

However, some of the private IT SEZs could face a few implementation challenges including financing large projects, and marketing space, according to a KPMG consultant.

The partner of KPMG, Vikram Doshi, who is the India head for the SEZs, told Business Line that a third of the total SEZs thus far cleared in the country are IT SEZs and are better placed to be executed much ahead of SEZs in other sectors such as manufacturing.

Doshi said that the rapid implementation of IT SEZs is also driven by the corresponding sunset clause of the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) scheme, necessitating them to be equally competitive even if they were to loose STPI benefits.

Providing SEZ snapshot, Doshi said so far 173 SEZs have received approvals and about 400 more are awaiting approvals.

• Check out our Yearender Special

Of the 173, Andhra Pradesh has secured approvals for 48 units. Of them, about 30 are IT specific.

Andhra Pradesh has been first off the block to apply for SEZs and has managed to garner almost a third of the total SEZs followed by Gujarat.

Surprisingly, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal, have not made enough applications, something difficult to understand, Doshi said.

eSeva facility for villages in Andhra Pradesh (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/29/stories/2007122954180800.htm)



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International meet on e-Governance inaugurated

State made use of IT to issue ration cards


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HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has said that the State Government was trying to extend eSeva facility for people across all the villages in the State.

He told the inaugural function of an International conference on e-Governance held at the University of Hyderabad campus here on Friday that the Government was developing a number of systems to connect villages and towns across the State.

These systems were important for good governance in the State since it had a large population of illiterate people. Dr. Reddy said the Congress Government would have finalised tenders through e-procurement for works costing Rs. 60,000 crore in 22 departments.

The Government made use of IT for issue of 1.82 crore ration cards and distribution of 45 lakh pensions a month. Information about pensioners who failed to take delivery of their monthly instalments was available at the State headquarters within five days and that too after sending them repeated reminders.

An online system of information had helped immensely in deliverables being delivered to people. Delivery of deliverables to people symbolised good and effective governance, he said. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to President of Sri Lanka, said in his keynote address that the Sri Lankan Government was trying to make its people totally literate in the country in three to five years.

Mr. Weeratunga expected the next technological revolution in Sri Lanka to come from rural areas where 85 per cent of 9,800 schools in the country were located.

K.K. Agarwal, V-C of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi, and president of the Computer Society of India, said the biggest challenge of the country in the Eleventh Five Year Plan would be how to spend the Rs. 35,000 crore allocated for e-governance.

^^ That is just grt news. Hope the government is serious about this.

Cheers

Nod for merger of 15 panchayats (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/29/stories/2007122958760300.htm)



Idea is to pave the way for formation of Greater Vijayawada


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The proposed villages belong to Vijayawarda rural mandal and Penamaluru mandal

Left corporators feel that taxation should be lower for the villages even after the merger

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VIJAYAWADA: The general body of the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation on Friday approved the merger of 15 gram panchayats surrounding the city for creation of a Greater Vijayawada in the near future. Members belonging to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India (CPI) who wanted a minor change in the resolution registered their protests separately.

The gram panchayats proposed for the merger are Nidamanuru, Donetikur, Enikepadu, Prasadampadu, Ramavarappadu, Pathapadu, P. Nainavaram, Ambapuram, Jakkampudi, Gollapudi, part of Nunna (all in Vijayawada rural mandal), Kanuru, Yanamalakuduru, Tadigadapa and Poranki (all in Penamaluru mandal).

The resolution proposed by the ruling Congress said these villages should be merged with the corporation only after the expiry of the present term of elected sarpanches and panchayat members.

‘Protest letter’

The floor leaders of the two Left parties preferred that the merger of the gram panchayats be taken up only after consulting the people of these villages.

While CPI (M) floor leader Ch. Babu Rao submitted a “protest letter” to Mayor Mallika Begum, CPI floor leader P. Gowtham Reddy requested that the presiding officer place on record the protest he made orally.

Kankipadu MLA Devineni Rajasekhar, an ex-officio member, said care should be taken to ensure that the development of the villages proposed to be merged with the VMC was not adversely affected. Elections were held to these gram panchayats just a year ago and funds were being released for their development. Funds would be released in instalments for the laying of roads and pipelines, construction of bridges and drinking water reservoirs.

It was appropriate that time was given till the term of the gram panchayat expired for merging them with the corporation.

While CPI, CPI (M) and TDP members argued that the gram panchayats be given a say before they were merged, senior Congress corporator Samanthapudi Narasaraju said that the merger of the villages was essential keeping in mind the rapid pace the city was growing. The opinion of the gram panchayats would, in any case, be taken by the Government while following the process of merger.

Left corporators felt that the villages should be shown some benefit for becoming a part of the corporation and taxation should be lower even after the merger.

Nod for merger of 15 panchayats (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/29/stories/2007122958760300.htm)

Plans have started moving for creation of separate Telengana state with Hyderabad as capital.Vijayawada will be expanded in to metro city and will be the capital city of Andhra state.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/30/stories/2007123052950400.htm
NH-5 to be partly six-laned
RAJAHMUNDRY: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken up survey to convert 1,100 km of four-lane highway into six lanes from Itchapuram to Tada by the year 2013.

It proposes to spend Rs.7,000 crore on the project, involving an estimated Rs. 5 crore a km and to be executed on a ‘build, operate and transfer’ (BOT) system.

NHAI Project Director for Krishna, Guntur, East and West Godavari districts M. Chandrasekhar said that the Union Cabinet has decided to upgrade 8,500 km of the ‘golden quadrilateral’ into six lanes and the expansion formed part of the project. In addition, the Central authority has initiated steps to convert Hyderabad-Vijayawada, Vijayawada-Machilipatnam two-lane roads into four-lanes.

Norms: Though the NHAI set 2013 as the deadline for the completion of the project, there were some specifications that need to be adhered to in the conversion of the four-lane highways into six-lanes.

One such norm was the average traffic on the four-lane roads should be of the order of 10,000 vehicles a day while development of a six-lane road would require traffic density in excess of 30,000. An average 5,500 vehicles were plying on the four-lane highway as of now and the density is expected to be around 18,000 by 2013.

The traffic could be much higher once the activities in the port and special economic zones picked up momentum on expected lines.

He said that the NHAI would adopt public-private partnership mode in case of private partners did not turn up. Contract period for the private investors was likely to be pegged at around 12 years.

A survey on the stretch between Vijayawada and Rajahmundry is already under way while the one covering the span between Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry would be launched shortly.

Plans have started moving for creation of separate Telengana state with Hyderabad as capital.Vijayawada will be expanded in to metro city and will be the capital city of Andhra state.

What is the source? Please provide it. Without, it is pure speculation and could be source of rumours. If you don't have a proper source, then state it as your opinion. That way, we can clearly seperate "fact" from "opinion".

‘Make power transmission viable’ (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/30/stories/2007123053160400.htm)



HYDERABAD: Chairman and Managing Director of the Power Grid Corporation of India R. P. Singh has advocated the bifurcation of technological and commercial aspects of power distribution.

He has urged States to develop high-quality electricity distribution networks without which transmission and commercial losses are bound to multiply.

Dr. Singh has indicated the Power Grid is open to JVs with private companies, provided the laying of transmission lines proves to be commercially viable.

He delivered the Yarlagadda Sriramulu fourth endowment lecture on ‘Transmission challenges in open electricity market,’ organised by the Institutions of Engineers India (IEI), here on Saturday.

He made a strong pitch for long-term power purchase agreements between power generators and end-users (State-level transmission companies) to make T&D profitable and also sustainable.

‘Not a free commodity’

“Electricity cannot be treated as a free commodity. There should be a free flow of money,” he observed. Quality and reliability issues of power supply should be of paramount importance rather than affordability. “It is technology first and economics, next,” asserted Dr. Singh.

Describing open access system as a myth, he said people would think that the Power Grid, the Centre or the States would set up transmission lines. Power Grid never failed despite huge demand-supply gaps in India, while it was a regular phenomenon in developed countries.

He attributed the credit to the creation of meshed transmission lines by having loops within loops. The corporation proposed to enhance its capacity from the present 17,000 MW to 40,000 MW by the end of 11th Plan period and 1.50 lakh MW by 2030.

Let's Hope They Achieve This.

Another bypass road on NH 5 mooted (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/31/stories/2007123152370300.htm)



ONGOLE: A delegation of the second bypass road struggle committee met the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at Hyderabad on Saturday and explained him the need to lay another bypass road to Ongole as part of widening Chennai-Kolkata NH 5 from four lanes to six lanes.

Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy promised help to the committee to achieve its demand. Ongole MLA, Balineni Sreenivasa Reddy facilitated the meeting.

The committee president, B. Ramagopala Reddy, said that the bypass road was laid way back in 1978. The town has grown enormously on the western side of the bypass road.

Traffic problems

About 50,000 people live on the western side who find it difficult and harzardous to reach the main town crossing the highway.

The committee had opposed the widening of the bypass road to four lanes in 2002 itself and filed a petition in the High Court seeking directions to the National Highways Authority of India to lay another bypass road away from town limits and save the people from pollution and traffic problems.

But NHAI officials explained that they would not be able to change the alignment at that late stage and promised that another bypass road would be considered when they widened the road to six lanes.

He said that it would be difficult to lay second bypass road on the eastern side of the town due to black cotton soil and also due to railway tracks. So the NHAI may consider laying the second bypass far away from the town on the western side passing through Doddavappadu, Pedakothapalli, Lingamgunta, western side of Pernamitta, Vengamukkapalem, Yerejarla villages to join the NH 5 at Surareddypalem. The proposed NH 214 A, the coastal highway, can join the NH 5 at Doddavarappadu.

The delegation pointed out that the NHAI had laid second bypass road to Nellore town. The NH 5 was laid far away from major panchayats like Tangutur, Singarayakonda and Kavali towns. But the highway is passing through thickly populated areas of Ongole town causing untold hardship to people.

TUDA to identify areas for building flyovers (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/31/stories/2007123156780300.htm)



TIRUPATI: The top-brass of the Tirupati Task Force representing TTD, District Administration, TUDA, Police and the central government establishments have met here on Sunday and evaluated the progress of various on-going projects besides identifying the works to be taken up to augment the civic amenities in the temple city of Tirupati in step with its all round rapid expansion. It was decided to examine the feasibility of constructing a long fly-over linking the Ramanuja Circle and the Nandi Circle spanning more than a km to tackle the increasing problem traffic congestion in the zone most used by the visiting pilgrims. TTD’s Executive Officer, K.V. Ramanachary who presided over the meet asked the Tirupati Urban Development Authority to identify other areas in the city where fly-overs were required to decongest busy localities in the city.

Top research centre in Vijayawada soon (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/31/stories/2007123155930400.htm)



VIJAYAWADA: The Velagapudi Ramakrishna Siddhartha Engineering College (VRSEC) here has been selected for setting up a Centre of Relevance and Excellence (CORE) to provide industry-relevant projects and courses for students in the field of telematics.

The Rs.36-crore project will get funds mostly from the industry and partly from the Central Government, and will be open for use to students from all engineering colleges in the State and also from other parts of the country.

Dominant field

The primary objective of CORE is to encourage potential engineering colleges to grow vertically in focused areas and bring about structural changes in technical higher education by giving paramount importance to industry relevance. CORE will focus on telematics, as it is going to be the most dominant field with the automotive industry, which is all set to witness more dramatic and rapid progress. It will offer industry-centric projects and Ph.D. programme to eligible students from all the 330 engineering colleges in the State. The establishment of the centre is part of a grand plan that has taken shape to realise the goals set in Vision 2020 of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, whose aim is to transform India into a developed nation. As part of this, several missions were formulated, and, consequently, Mission REACH (Relevance and Excellence in Achieving new heights in educational institutions) was launched under the leadership of the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

World-class ambience

VRSEC convenor P.L.N. Prasad told The Hindu on Sunday that the facility will be constructed in a vertical model to create nearly 25,000 sq. ft of area with world-class ambience. Land will be allotted at the open ground available at VRSEC itself. VRSEC principal K.R.K. Prasad said that the TIFAC has already handed over the permission letter for setting up of the centre.

K. Sriramakrishna, professor and head of the department of ECE, would be the coordinator of the CORE. He said the Government will extend support for three years only and that the centre will have to achieve self-sufficiency by then. “With so much support coming from the industry, the centre will see rapid growth. Agilent Technologies, a US-based firm, is funding Rs. 29 crores in the form of hardware and software. Local industries like Efftronics is also extending their support,” said Prof. Sriramakrishna.

Such Kinda Initiatives Are Needed To Cope Up With Western Schools.:cheers:

What is the source? Please provide it. Without, it is pure speculation and could be source of rumours. If you don't have a proper source, then state it as your opinion. That way, we can clearly seperate "fact" from "opinion".

It is a fact.This is going to be the biggest movement for the year 2008 just before the election in mid 2009.All the political parties including the ruling party (Congress) BJP, and even the communist parties are unanimous for creation of separate Telengana State.This is the opinion ingrained in the majority of the people in this Region.Ignoring this fact by the politicians of different hues of this region is at their own peril.

IFFCO to set up agriculture, food processing SEZ in AP (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/IFFCO_to_set_up_agriculture_food_processing_SEZ_in_AP/articleshow/2663386.cms)



HYDERABAD: The Centre is expected to approve on January 2 an SEZ project in Andhra Pradesh by fertiliser cooperative IFFCO for agri and food processing, a senior state government official said.

The Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO) plans to invest more than Rs 2,000 crore to develop the duty-free enclave in Nellore district on some 2,000 acres, directly generating 10,000 jobs, the official told ET.

Christened the ‘Kisan’ SEZ, it will also house an institute to provide training in agriculture and related technologies and grain storage facilities.

The co-operative has proposed setting up the SEZ on land it acquired from the state government in 1997 for a fertiliser plant.

“However, that plan did not fructify due to the market conditions and the non-availability of feedstock,” he said.

Andhra Pradesh has the largest number of notified SEZs in the country at 48, most of them in the IT and IT-enabled services sectors. A total of 172 such zones had been notified until the end November. More than 400 have received formal approval.

The commerce ministry projects that more than twenty lakh jobs will be generated by December 2009 in the SEZs which have been notified, with investment nearly touching Rs 3 lakh crore.

About Rs 52,000 crore has been invested in SEZs so far while less than 50,000 jobs have been created.

It is a fact.This is going to be the biggest movement for the year 2008 just before the election in mid 2009.All the political parties including the ruling party (Congress) BJP, and even the communist parties are unanimous for creation of separate Telengana State.This is the opinion ingrained in the majority of the people in this Region.Ignoring this fact by the politicians of different hues of this region is at their own peril.


Everybody knows about the separate Telengana movement. So far except for CPI, no other party at the executive level has officially stated their stand. That is a different story for discussion.

Going back, please provide the source of the statement made originally and in this reply. The way you are spinning the story around Vijayawada trying to become a metro city is just unbelievable. Please do not be a source of rumors.

ONGC seeks sops for the Kakinada project

ONGC wants 950 hectares for the refinery free of cost and exemption from sales tax on sale of petroleum and petrochemical products, official sources said. It also wants fiscal concessions as given to an SEZ. Not only this, it has also understood to have asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to provide road and rail connectivity, develop sewage and refinery effluent disposal system and communication connectivity.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/29/stories/2007122954981400.htm

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/03/stories/2008010353620400.htm
4,000 MW power project proposed at Masula
HYDERABAD: Impressed by the cooperation extended by Andhra Pradesh in respect of the ultra mega power project (UMPP) at Krishnapatnam in Nellore district, the Union Government has proposed a second UMPP with 4,000 MW installed capacity at Machilipatnam.

The Centre is all praise over the steps taken by the State Government to pave way for the Krishnapatnam UMPP to secure all the 69 clearances required for a power project from relevant agencies.

The power plant proposed at Machilipatnam will also be a super thermal station using coal as fuel. The Centre plans to import coal for this station, as in the case of Krishnapatnam.

Disclosing these details at a press conference here on Wednesday, Energy Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir and Principal Secretary, Energy, A. K. Goel said the Union Government had offered a 50 per cent share of the power generated by this station to Andhra Pradesh as an incentive if the State Government allotted 2,000 acres of land at Machilipatnam for the project free of cost...

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/03/stories/2008010353620400.htm

That's Kewl A.P is Fast-Forwarding in power sector which is a good sign to grab investments & profit in making by distributing to various states too.:cheers:

^^ well said.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/04/stories/2008010454760500.htm
Plan to step up State grid capacity by 8,945 MW
Total capacity will be 21,284 MW
HYDERABAD: The Government has announced a grandiose plan to increase the installed capacity of the State grid by 8,945 MW in the next few years, to make Andhra Pradesh surplus in power and ensure 24-hour supply even to rural areas.

As the grid already has 12,339 MW, the fresh addition will take its total capacity to an all-time high of 21,284 MW, making Andhra Pradesh a front-ranker in this area.

At a press conference here on Wednesday, Energy Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir said the capacity addition would be made through 17 projects taken up by AP Genco (cost of Rs 36,386 crore). As against 8,945 MW planned, projects covering 7,109 MW would be completed by 2012.

Projects in pipeline: Major projects on anvil include Krishnapatnam (1,600 MW), Kakatiya (600 MW) and Karimnagar (2,100 MW). Of them, nine (2,363 MW) are under construction, two (3,700 MW) are being tendered and the rest are in the planning stage.

The Minister said the State would also get 1,600 MW as its share from the 4,000 MW Central project of Krishnapatnam.

He said a shortage of 8-10 million units a day continued in the State, forcing the Government to launch an action plan to operate Lanco with naphtha and GVK with high speed diesel and divert the gas allotted to them to Vemagiri that remained idle for want of gas. With the use of naphtha, Lanco power would cost Rs 8.62 per unit but the burden would not be shifted to consumers...

As electricity capacity increases, demand will catch up and will be back to shortages.

Govt. should also encourage wind power to lift irragation water, end free power and reduce distribution losses by encourgaing industries near to sources of electricity.

ONGC revives Kakinada refinery after shelving it (http://www.livemint.com/2008/01/02222144/ONGC-revives-Kakinada-refinery.html)


Hyderabad/ New Delhi: State-run exploration and production company Oil and Natural Gas Corp. Ltd (ONGC) has revived its plans to set up an oil refinery at a cost of Rs25,000 crore at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh in the wake of what some officials in the petroleum ministry see as lobbying by the local government.

Andhra Pradesh is ruled by a Congress government and a Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government rules at the Centre.
“We expect the (refinery) project to go through,” said R.S. Sharma, chairman and managing director, ONGC. He declined further comment.

U-turn: A file picture of R.S.Sharma, chairman, ONGC.ONGC, which had decided in 2006 that the project was unviable, has now appointed investment bank SBI Capital Markets Ltd to conduct a financial analysis of the refinery’s viability and asked for its report by January-end.

“This exercise is expected to give a fresh lease of life to our petroleum, chemicals and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR) project,” said B. Sam Bob, principal secretary at the industries and commerce department of the Andhra Pradesh government.

In 2005, the state government had signed an agreement with ONGC and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. Ltd, another state-owned oil production and marketing firm, to serve as so-called anchor clients in its PCPIR project.
HPCL announced that it would invest Rs30,000 crore to set up a new naphtha cracker (refinery) in the PCPIR and expand its refining capacity.

And ONGC had announced that it would set up a refinery, through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) or a company formed for the purpose, Kakinada Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (KRPL). Infrastructure finance firm Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services Ltd (IL&FS) picked up a 51% stake in the SPV.

In 2006, on the basis of an internal study, ONGC decided that the refinery was unviable at the proposed capacity of 7.5mtpa and indicated its decision to pull out from the PCPIR project to the Andhra Pradesh government.

Fearing that ONGC’s decision could hurt the PCPIR project, which was expected to attract investments to the tune of around Rs1 trillion, the
Andhra Pradesh government convinced the Centre to ask ONGC to reconsider its decision, according to state government officials who did not wish to be identified.

ONGC then decided to explore the viability of the project with an enhanced refining capacity of 15mtpa, requiring an investment of Rs22,000 crore that was later revised to Rs25,000 crore. Engineers India Ltd (EIL), a state-owned engineering consulting firm that studied this project, did not think it was viable.

“ONGC had appointed EIL to take up a sensitivity study, which found the project unattractive at the (expected) investment (level) of Rs25,000 crore and internal rate of return of a little over 10%,” said Sam Bob.

He added that ONGC has decided to go ahead with the project and appointed SBI Capital Markets to assess its viability.

A Delhi-based oil and gas industry expert, who did not wish to be identified, said that while it looked like the political pressure exerted by the state government on the Centre has worked, the project could still be viable in theory. “There are no high-volume refineries located on the east coast which are export-oriented. If ONGC brings in an overseas partner, it will also assure it an offtake of the refined product,” the expert added.

According to Bob, ONGC has sought some incentives that include right of way to lay pipelines from the landfall point to the PCPIR and tax exemptions. “We are currently examining the financial burden of these incentives sought by ONGC,” Bob added.

The PCPIR, where the refinery is to be located, will occupy over 355sq. km in the Visakhapatnam-Kakinada-Rajahmundry corridor.

The proposed PCPIR is close to the oil and gas-rich Krishna-Godavari basin of Bay of Bengal. The corridor, situated in the country’s east coast, is the landfall point for various oil and gas finds in the KG basin that include discoveries of Reliance Industries Ltd, Gujarat State Petroleum Corp., Cairn India Ltd and ONGC.

The Andhra Pradesh government was recently involved in the controversy surrounding the pricing of gas from Reliance’s KG basin find. The state government, like other buyers, said Reliance’s indicated price of around $4.33 per million British thermal unit (mBtu) was much too high. A group of ministers resolved this issue and set a base price of $4.20 per mBtu.

“This (refinery) project should be seen in the context of India’s geographical location. While there is a market for the petroleum products in the East, the crude supplies are in the West. India is located between the two. ONGC will use this as a leverage to cater to energy starved markets of Japan and South Korea,” said Ravi Mahajan, a partner at audit and consulting firm Ernst and Young.

India plans to add more than 92mtpa in refining capacity during the 11th Plan period (2007-12), taking its cumulative capacity to 240mtpa, and further to 302mtpa by 2017.

Virtual death trap for hundreds every year. Now It is a 2 lane National Highway. But based on the traffic volume of this road, It should have been a 6 Lane National Highway.


http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5629/vijayawadapx9wx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Virtual death trap for hundreds every year. Now It is a 2 lane National Highway. But based on the traffic volume of this road, It should have been a 6 Lane National Highway.


http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/5629/vijayawadapx9wx4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

I come from Nalgonda. As far as I know, most of the NH9 road in Nalgonda district is not 4/6 laned ( about 160 KM). The road from Hyderabad to Malkapur in the Nalgonda district is 4 laned, similarly the NH9 from Vijayawada to Nandigama is 4 laned, except for a little stretch from Nandigama to Jagayyapet in Krishna district in Andhra region. This shows the neglect of the government officials to the backward districts of Telangana. That is why telangana people are raising their frustration towards to the negligent government run mostly by Andhra Politicians.

I come from Nalgonda. As far as I know, most of the NH9 road in Nalgonda district is not 4/6 laned ( about 160 KM). The road from Hyderabad to Malkapur in the Nalgonda district is 4 laned, similarly the NH9 from Vijayawada to Nandigama is 4 laned, except for a little stretch from Nandigama to Jagayyapet in Krishna district in Andhra region. This shows the neglect of the government officials to the backward districts of Telangana. That is why telangana people are raising their frustration towards to the negligent government run mostly by Andhra Politicians.

The drive on NH 9 is not a pleasant experience.A very busy road with heavy traffic density is neglected.:ohno:

I come from Nalgonda. As far as I know, most of the NH9 road in Nalgonda district is not 4/6 laned ( about 160 KM). The road from Hyderabad to Malkapur in the Nalgonda district is 4 laned, similarly the NH9 from Vijayawada to Nandigama is 4 laned, except for a little stretch from Nandigama to Jagayyapet in Krishna district in Andhra region. This shows the neglect of the government officials to the backward districts of Telangana. That is why telangana people are raising their frustration towards to the negligent government run mostly by Andhra Politicians.

lol....National Highways are not under state government maintainence but under NHAI. Dont see how your seperate state demand will solve the problem when the central government remains the same. Blame the local telangana politicians for not bringing enough pressure in the centre.

I come from Nalgonda. As far as I know, most of the NH9 road in Nalgonda district is not 4/6 laned ( about 160 KM). The road from Hyderabad to Malkapur in the Nalgonda district is 4 laned, similarly the NH9 from Vijayawada to Nandigama is 4 laned, except for a little stretch from Nandigama to Jagayyapet in Krishna district in Andhra region. This shows the neglect of the government officials to the backward districts of Telangana. That is why telangana people are raising their frustration towards to the negligent government run mostly by Andhra Politicians.

NH9 is a major highway connecting Andhra and Telangana regions. If you think Andhra politicians are neglecting this highway they are neglecting connectivity to their own region as people from all Andhra regions take this highway to reach Hyderabad. NH9 provides connectivity to only 2 districts from Telangana i.e Khammam and Nalgonda.

Do you think HYD- Karimnagar Rajiv Rahadari, Hyderabad - Warangal, Hyderabad - Nizamabad/Adilabad , Hyderabad - Kurnool/Mahabubnagar are being neglected?

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/05/stories/2008010559720300.htm
Expansion: AAI seeks 558 acres
VIJAYAWADA: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has shot off a letter to the State Government seeking 558 acres of additional land for commencing works for the expansion and modernisation of Gannavaram airport.

AAI Executive Director (Planning) G.K. Chaukiyal recently wrote to K.V. Brahmananda Reddy, Special Secretary to the Government for Transport, Roads and Airports, asking the latter to arrange for the handing over of the land as per the Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Airports Authority of India and the State Government on July 24, 2007.

Operational safety: In his letter, the Airports Authority of India official pointed out that the expansion of the airport would be carried out without touching populated areas while not compromising on the essential land that would be needed for operational safety of the airport.

This, AAI officials said, has put the ball in the State Government’s court to acquire additional land and give an impetus to the expansion of the airport. Sources in the AAI told The Hindu that the plan for the expansion of the runway at Gannavaram had been slightly modified. It was so as to minimise the problem of acquiring land and also to avoid any inconvenience to the populated areas surrounding the airport.

The AAI officials here seek to put an end to the claims and counter claims over the delay being caused in the works relating to the expansion of the airport to pave the way for the landing of bigger aircraft.

Air traffic: The officials said air traffic would significantly increase from the airport if the expansion was taken up for the arrival of wide-bodied aircraft, in addition to the present ATRs being operated by the Air Deccan and Kingfisher.

ILS facility: The AAI officials expressed optimism about setting up of Instrument Landing System (ILS) at the airport, which would enable flights to land here even during unfavourable weather conditions...

I come from Nalgonda. As far as I know, most of the NH9 road in Nalgonda district is not 4/6 laned ( about 160 KM). The road from Hyderabad to Malkapur in the Nalgonda district is 4 laned, similarly the NH9 from Vijayawada to Nandigama is 4 laned, except for a little stretch from Nandigama to Jagayyapet in Krishna district in Andhra region. This shows the neglect of the government officials to the backward districts of Telangana. That is why telangana people are raising their frustration towards to the negligent government run mostly by Andhra Politicians.

I Still Don't Understand Your Statement Made How Could You Think It's Been Neglected By Andhra Poliicians???? Are They in Power or What??? It's Your Minister Mr.Jeevan Reddy A.K.A Telangana Bidda Must Care For It Better Know Facts & Blame On The People Who Are In Power.People Even Andhra Strive For Their Rights Everytime That Which Lags In Telangana.I Don't Care About It But I Think We Are Indians I Have Right To Live Anywhere I Want Don't Make Such Baseless Allegations.No Telangana No Andhra It's Nothing But Andhra Pradesh....Teluguvari Janmabhoomi.

I Still Don't Understand Your Statement Made How Could You Think It's Been Neglected By Andhra Poliicians???? Are They in Power or What??? It's Your Minister Mr.Jeevan Reddy A.K.A Telangana Bidda Must Care For It Better Know Facts & Blame On The People Who Are In Power.People Even Andhra Strive For Their Rights Everytime That Which Lags In Telangana.I Don't Care About It But I Think We Are Indians I Have Right To Live Anywhere I Want Don't Make Such Baseless Allegations.No Telangana No Andhra It's Nothing But Andhra Pradesh....Teluguvari Janmabhoomi.

I am not a politician to make baseless arguements. I am speaking the truth. I have presented you facts about the NH9 road in the Nalgonda district. I am not a seperatist . The facts give you a picture of the negligence of the government. Hundreds of deaths have been reported every year and still the government didn't take any action until recently after a massive agitation by all political parties.

NH9 is a major highway connecting Andhra and Telangana regions. If you think Andhra politicians are neglecting this highway they are neglecting connectivity to their own region as people from all Andhra regions take this highway to reach Hyderabad. NH9 provides connectivity to only 2 districts from Telangana i.e Khammam and Nalgonda.

Do you think HYD- Karimnagar Rajiv Rahadari, Hyderabad - Warangal, Hyderabad - Nizamabad/Adilabad , Hyderabad - Kurnool/Mahabubnagar are being neglected?

I am especially concerned about my district.The fact remains that 160 KM of the road in the Naglonda district is not 4 or 6 laned. For almost 25 years people of Nalgonda district fought for the SLBC project and yet the project is just started. Thousands of people are suffering from diseases caused by excessive flourine content in the water. What did the government do all these years ?.

I am not a politician to make baseless arguements. I am speaking the truth. I have presented you facts about the NH9 road in the Nalgonda district. I am not a seperatist . The facts give you a picture of the negligence of the government. Hundreds of deaths have been reported every year and still the government didn't take any action until recently after a massive agitation by all political parties.

Blame It On Congress Then,They Are Presently In Power Both State & Centre.Don't Ever Divide People Calling As Telangana (or) Andhra (or) Rayalseema,We Are All One We Need To Fight For Our Rights Unitedly.

AP govt inks MoU with UK's Caparo group for aerospace park..Naidupet,Nellore Dist.

The government earmarked 2,000 acres for the project at a nominal rate of Rs one lakh per acre and also extended a string of incentives to "match those existing in Tamil Nadu",

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/AP_govt_inks_MoU_with_UKs_Caparo_group_for_aerospace_park/articleshow/2677644.cms

Nellore turning into a hub of SEZs (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/05/stories/2008010553700300.htm)



NELLORE: With the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative (IFFCO) and the Southern Construction and Infrastructure Development Corporation (SCIDC) and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) deciding to set up one Special Economic Zone each in Nellore district, the number of SEZs has now gone up to five.

As of now, the district has three SEZs in which Apache set up one at Mambattu of Tada mandal in 323 acres while Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) established another one at Sullurpet in 265 acres. MAS Holdings established a SEZ at Chintavaram of Chillakur mandal in 714 acres. Now, the first-ever agriculture-based food processing SEZ in the country will come up at Regadichelika and Racharlapadu villages of Kodavalur mandal, where the IFFCO possessed around 2,777 acres during 1997 to set up a gas-based fertilizer unit. But the cooperative has decided to convert the same stretch of acquired land to set up an SEZ with the uncertainty over gas supply remaining unsettled. Besides, both SCIDC and IL&FS have also decided to set up a building materials’ SEZ at Bitragunta in more than 118 acres, according to a senior official.

Meanwhile, South Indian Mills Association (SIMA), which had earlier decided to set up 10 textile units at Menakur Industrial Park, reportedly backtracked due to slump in the textile sector. It will soon handover around 500 acres of acquired land back to the APIIC.

I come from Nalgonda. As far as I know, most of the NH9 road in Nalgonda district is not 4/6 laned ( about 160 KM). The road from Hyderabad to Malkapur in the Nalgonda district is 4 laned, similarly the NH9 from Vijayawada to Nandigama is 4 laned, except for a little stretch from Nandigama to Jagayyapet in Krishna district in Andhra region. This shows the neglect of the government officials to the backward districts of Telangana. That is why telangana people are raising their frustration towards to the negligent government run mostly by Andhra Politicians.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/01/14/stories/2004011402131700.htm

Hyderabad-Vijayawada road may be made 6-lane
Our Bureau



Hyderabad , Jan. 13

THE Hyderabad-Vijayawada (NH-9) road will be converted into a six-lane highway, provided the State Government takes the onus of acquiring the necessary land, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Maj. Gen. (Retd) B.C. Khanduri, said here on Tuesday.

Responding to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu's request, he said that additional land of 6 mts at left and right of the proposed widening of the Hyderabad-Vijayawada road to a 4-lane highway, for which he performed the Bhoomi Pooja, would be necessary for the purpose.

Speaking on the occasion, Maj. Gen. Khanduri said that out of the 14,000 km of roads proposed to be developed all over the country by the Centre, 1,800 km of national highway would be in Andhra Pradesh and the cost to be incurred would be Rs 5,400 crore.

So far 339 km of 4/6 laning projects were completed and another 779 km on the Golden Quadrilateral will be completed by December 2004.

He said 1,148 km of State roads in AP have been converted into national highways in the past four years, while only 696 km were upgraded in the past 5 decades.

The Union Minister said Indian roads were reflecting international standards and quality. The National Highway Development Programme (NHDP) was progressing well, he remarked.

The State Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, urged the Union Minister to develop Chennai-Tirupati Highway as a model highway and declare it as a National Highway.

He said the work on the outer ring road to the twin cities of Hyderabad-Secunderabad would be taken up soon.
The proposed widening of the Hyderabad-Vijayawada Highway into four lanes would cost around Rs 38 crore.

It envisages the design speed of 80 to 100 km per hour and safety measures like thermoplastic road marking with glass beads, refro-reflection traffic sign boards etc.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hope this may tell you who has done better to the State

^^ I Strongly Believe The Development Works That Has Been Taken By Then TDP Regime Was That Of Mission2020 If They Would've Been In Power Sure The Highway Could Be The Most Modern In The Country.....Thanks For The Finds Vara123.

Blame It On Congress Then,They Are Presently In Power Both State & Centre.Don't Ever Divide People Calling As Telangana (or) Andhra (or) Rayalseema,We Are All One We Need To Fight For Our Rights Unitedly.

Congress under Y.S.R has hardly cared about these roads. He is busy improving the infrastructue in Cuddapah district. I really doubt if TDP would have completed this project if they were in power. We need a leader like Modi in Andhra Pradesh , who can work for the entire state .

I am especially concerned about my district.The fact remains that 160 KM of the road in the Naglonda district is not 4 or 6 laned. For almost 25 years people of Nalgonda district fought for the SLBC project and yet the project is just started. Thousands of people are suffering from diseases caused by excessive flourine content in the water. What did the government do all these years ?.

Eventhough I am not from Nalogonda, As a human being I feel sorry for Nalgonda people as thousands of People suffer from Fluorine. Hope Government will take an action at the earliest.

Congress under Y.S.R has hardly cared about these roads. He is busy improving the infrastructue in Cuddapah district. I really doubt if TDP would have completed this project if they were in power. We need a leader like Modi in Andhra Pradesh , who can work for the entire state .

^^Hey Skganji, I really empathize with what you said - It makes me sad that both TDP and Congress failed to address the flourine situation.

Congress under Y.S.R has hardly cared about these roads. He is busy improving the infrastructue in Cuddapah district. I really doubt if TDP would have completed this project if they were in power. We need a leader like Modi in Andhra Pradesh , who can work for the entire state .

Good days are ahead for our state.Lets be happy for the moment as we hear the news of a huge investment of Rs3500 crores from CAPARO GROUP U.K at Naidupeta in Nellore district.:cheers:

Private participation for highway maintenance (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010659710600.htm)



HYDERABAD: The Government has decided to involve private parties in proper maintenance of the State highways hereafter.

Accordingly, tenders will be issued inviting parties to take up the maintenance of stretches of these roads for a period of five years each. The party selected will be held responsible if the highway is found deficient in traffic-worthiness.

Roads & Buildings Minister T. Jeevan Reddy disclosed this here on Saturday while launching the website of the newly formed AP Road Development Corporation for proper maintenance of the highways, www.aprdc.in

The site will provide information about all aspects of State highways.

‘900 cr. sought for roads’ (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/06/stories/2008010653510300.htm)



ANANTAPUR: Minister for Remote and Interior Areas Development and Tribal Welfare D.S. Reddya Naik has stated that the State government has sent proposals to the Centre for development of roads in remote, interior and inaccessible areas with Rs. 900 crore.

Link to villages

Speaking to newspersons here on Saturday, he said establishing good road link to such villages would play a key role in their comprehensive development. The State government was already spending Rs. 1,469 crore under RIAD scheme for development of education, health and roads, he stated.

Of the 5,682 village identified under the scheme in 18 districts, Rs. 19 crore was being spent on development of roads to 55 identified villages in Anantapur district. Besides, five residential degree and six residential junior colleges would also be set up under the scheme by spending Rs. 1.20 crore for construction of each college building and Rs. 64 lakh for each for a hostel building.

Another Rs. 15 crore was being spent on the development of 7,811 acres of land belonging to tribals in the district. However, no proposals were received from the Minor Irrigation Department for the development of water sources in forest areas.

The minister earlier reviewed the programmes being implemented under RIAD and Tribal Welfare Departments with the district officials. District Collector N. Sridhar, Zilla Parishad Chairperson T. Kavitha, Minister for Agriculture N. Raghuveera Reddy and others also participated in the review.

Unanimity over second bypass road (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010761240500.htm)



ONGOLE: All political parties and professional bodies seem to be unanimous in their demand for laying a second bypass road to Ongole as part of widening the Chennai-Kolkata National Highway from four lanes into six lanes between Chilakaluripet and Nellore.

In-charge district Collector Dinakar Babu held a public hearing at the rice millers’ hall here on Sunday to elicit opinion to the widening proposals.

The Congress, the TDP, the CPI, the CPI(M) and the BJP submitted memoranda opposing widening of the present bypass road into six lanes. Second bypass road struggle committee president B. Ramgopal Reddy, too, submitted a memorandum seeking a second bypass road.

The petitioners pointed out that the bypass road is passing through busy commercial and residential areas in the town causing traffic and environmental problems. They said that the bypass road was laid way back in 1980. The town has grown enormously on the western side of the bypass road where as many as 50,000 people live. They find it difficult to reach the main town crossing the bypass road.

When the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) proposed to widen it into four lanes, there was ground swelling opposition. The second bypass struggle committee was then formed which challenged the decision in the High Court. But, NHAI officials contended that it would be difficult to change the alignment at that stage and assured the court that they would shift the bypass road away from the town when they widen it into six lanes.

Project director of NHAI Ravi Naik and project consultant Ravi Sankar attended. Ongole MP Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Municipal Chairman Bapatla Hanumantha Rao, Zilla Parishad chairperson K. Arunamma, TDP district general secretary K. Adenna wanted the NHAI to shift the bypass in difference to the wishes of all sections of people. Doctors and lawyers too submitted memoranda demanding second bypass.

Mr. Dinakar said that there was overwhelming opposition to the proposal to widen the present bypass.

He said he would report to the government about the demand for laying second bypass road from Yedugullapadu-Pernamitta, Vengamukkapalem and Pellur skirting the busy areas of Ongole town.

SIMA shelves plan to set up textile park in AP (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010750961500.htm)



Hyderabad, Jan. 6 The acute crisis in textile industry in the country has taken a fresh toll – the Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has decided to wind up the textile park at Naidupet in Nellore district.

The SIMA members had paid in full for 375 acres of the 1,000 acres allocated for the park. “It would have attracted investments to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore. We, in fact, have blocked 1,000 acres more than the allocated land, anticipating demand from our members,” Dr K. Selvaraju, Secretary-General of SIMA, told Business Line.

About 12 players, with investments ranging from Rs 50-300 crore, had shown interest and prepared plans to set up plants in the Nellore park. The list included manufacturers such as Loyal Textiles and Ramakrishna Mills from Coimbatore.

If things went right, these plants would have become operational by now, providing employment to 20,000 people in the backward district.

But everything went wrong for the industry since the association had begun to put things into place for developing the park. “The rupee has appreciated steeply. Interest rates have gone up 4-5 per cent. The cost of raw material (cotton) increased by 10-15 per cent and the yarn price saw a decrease of 4-5 per cent,” he said.

‘Suffering a lot’


“The textiles industry as a whole is suffering a lot. No new project has been announced for quite some time. The mills in Tamil Nadu have another problem. They are facing power cuts in the range of 2-4 hours a day,” he said.

Andhra Pradesh, in fact, has emerged as an attractive destination, thanks to the industrial-friendly power tariff structure. An averaged sized mill could have saved Rs 4-5 crore on this factor alone.

The SIMA, however, feels that it is not the end of the road for the project. “We will review the project a year later and see if things have improved to make a fresh proposal. But for now, we have decided to wind up,” he said.

Power Plays A Vital Role in Grabbing Investments A.P Stands at Top Spot in Generation as well as Transmission Of Power in India.Every Industry Looking On The Success Mantra Of A.P Planning Out Set Up A Manufacturing Base Here......More On To Come.:cheers:

SIMA shelves plan to set up textile park in AP (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/07/stories/2008010750961500.htm)




Power Plays A Vital Role in Grabbing Investments A.P Stands at Top Spot in Generation as well as Transmission Of Power in India.Every Industry Looking On The Success Mantra Of A.P Planning Out Set Up A Manufacturing Base Here......More On To Come.:cheers:

There is power shortage in A.P also.Farmers are given only 7 hrs of power for agriculture activities per day and Industries suffer from 3 to 4 hrs power cut.See the efforts and the expenses involved to reduce the shortage.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/26/stories/2007102661610400.htm

Just last month, lot of people in my village got there electrical appliances burned due to high voltage surge. Despite having stabilizer for the fridge and this is winter!
We cannot compare AP to TN, AP is hardly industrialized/urbanised compared to TN.

There is power shortage in A.P also.Farmers are given only 7 hrs of power for agriculture activities per day and Industries suffer from 3 to 4 hrs power cut.See the efforts and the expenses involved to reduce the shortage.
http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/26/stories/2007102661610400.htm

'hardly' industrialized??? What that does mean you have no manufacturing base in A.P???? Very Funny....From Oil & Gas to Steel Plants We Have Everything But Except Automobile Manufacturing Unit.

'hardly' industrialized??? What that does mean you have no manufacturing base in A.P???? Very Funny....From Oil & Gas to Steel Plants We Have Everything But Except Automobile Manufacturing Unit.
Here is a bit of information about the Southern states
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_South_India
http://www.nfis.com.au/india/pdfs/1_why_focus_southern_india.pdf

'hardly' industrialized??? What that does mean you have no manufacturing base in A.P???? Very Funny....From Oil & Gas to Steel Plants We Have Everything But Except Automobile Manufacturing Unit.

What're you talking about? AP is no way as industrialised as TN period. The level of TN's industrialisation is comparable only to Gujarat or maybe Maharashtra to a certain extent.

Follow the links provided by ranga.

In the coming economic and oil crisis, industrialised society will be effected more. People in agrainian economy are more happier (if we avoid too much cash crops)

Follow the links at the end of this animation :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulxe1ie-vEY

'hardly' industrialized??? What that does mean you have no manufacturing base in A.P???? Very Funny....From Oil & Gas to Steel Plants We Have Everything But Except Automobile Manufacturing Unit.

Ultra mega power project to go on stream soon in A.P. (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/08/stories/2008010855410600.htm)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reliance Power Ltd. is floated by Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group

Project should be on stream by Sept., 2013, says Director of Reliance Energy Ltd
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HYDERABAD: Krishnapatnam Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) will go on stream much ahead of its schedule.

The project will be executed by Reliance Power Ltd, the newly-floated company by the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG).

Lalit Jalan, Director of Reliance Energy Ltd, said here on Monday that the company was committed to completing the project early like it could complete a 600-MW project in Haryana in 25 months as against the scheduled 48 months.The 4,000 MW Krishnapatnam UMPP had already secured 68 clearances from the authorities concerned.

Mr. Jalan addressed a press conference in connection with the initial public offering (IPO) of Reliance Power.

The Power Finance Corporation (PFC) formed the Coastal Andhra Power Ltd (CPAL) and initially developed the project to expedite obtaining of approvals and clearances. The CAPL had already entered into power purchase agreements with 11 procurers from four States. “We expect that the CAPL will be transferred to Reliance Power by January 30. As per the letter of intent, the project should be on stream by September 2013, 68 months from the date of transfer of CAPL, when the first 800 MW would become operational. The project would have to be fully commissioned by October 2015,” he said.

The estimated cost of the project was Rs. 16,537 crore and the company offered a kilo-watt hour of power at Rs. 2.33 paise. The coal-fired project would require 14 million tonnes of coal per annum at 80 per cent of plant load factor. The fuel would be imported.

Mr. Jalan said that another ADAG company, Reliance Natural Resources Ltd (RNRL), might buy out some coal mines in Indonesia and Australia to ensure supply of the fuel.

Caparo group to set up automobile park in Andhra Pradesh (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/08/stories/2008010860530600.htm)



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Investment of Rs. 2,500 cr. in a phased manner

Job opportunities for around 15,000 persons
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NELLORE: After Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Nellore district is fast becoming a hub for automobile units too.

The Caparo Vehicle Products, a unit of Caparo group of Lord Swaraj Paul, is setting up an automobile park at Naidupet of Nellore district. It will very soon establish the automobile park in around 1,500 acres of land with an investment of Rs. 2,500 crore in a phased manner.

The district administration is expecting that the park could generate employment avenues for around 15,000 skilled and unskilled persons of both local and non-local areas. .

Lands inspected

“A team from Caparo group, which has been running several plants in India catering to the needs of General Motors, Maruti, Honda, Ford and Volvo among others, has recently inspected several lands at Srinivasapuram of Juvvalapalem panchayat and Nelaballi panchayat of Doravarisatram mandal. And they have reportedly evinced keen interest in setting up the automobile park in the same area as the location is well connected on road, rail and sea besides being close to Chennai, around 100 km away.

“Moreover, the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has come forward to hand over the same lands to the Caparo group at a nominal price. In case the group has any second thought about the lands, they can look for lands at Menakur, where APIIC has already acquired around 4,500 acres of land,” the official said.

It may be recalled that the State government, which has earlier sent its senior officials to Chennai to meet Swaraj Paul on October 4 last year to explore the possibility of Caparo group to set up a Light Commercial Vehicle unit in Nellore, listed out as to what kind of incentives it has been offering to those who have either decided or set up industrial units such as footwear, apparel, textiles, steel plant and others.

Marine product SEZ for Masula (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/08/stories/2008010854010400.htm)



Defunct boat building yard to be revived at Kakinada with improved technology

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Machilipatnam chosen for three main reasons

SEZ to boost employment in three districts
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HYDERABAD: The first exclusive marine product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the East Coast will come up over an area of 260 acres at Kara Agraharam near Machilipatnam as a joint venture between Andhra Pradesh and the Kochi-based Central undertaking Marine Products Exports Development Agency (MPEDA).

The SEZ project was cleared on January 5 by the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) at its meeting at Kochi chaired by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

Ideal choice

A marine product SEZ for the West Coast is already functioning in Gujarat.

While West Bengal and Tamil Nadu lobbied for the East Coast SEZ, the choice fell on Machilipatnam for three reasons—the land identified belongs to the Government, proximity to the upcoming port and road/rail connectivity and drinking water availability from Bandar Canal branching off from the Krishna.

State Fisheries Minister M. Buddha Prasad, who attended the NFDB meeting, told reporters here on Monday that over 40 units that would be engaged in value addition to the marine products, could be established in the SEZ, each leased out to a private party. This would give a huge boost to employment in Krishna, East and West Godavari districts.

Positive outcomes

The other positive outcomes of the NFDB meeting included the decision to revive the defunct boat building yard at Kakinada with improved technology, clearance to a project to develop a centre to produce ornamental fish for aquariums on the lines of the one at Kollathur near Chennai, approval to set up a Rs 30-crore multiplication centre at Battigolluru in Srikaklaulm district to produce virus-free fish seed.

Mr Buddha Prasad announced enhancement of the ex gratia for accidental death of a fisherman to Rs 1 lakh from Rs 50,000, introduction of a “Matsya Mithra scheme” involving 283 fisherwomen cooperative societies to supplement the income of their families and a Rs 60-crore scheme” to increase fish seed production to 16 lakh tonnes by 2011 with NFDB giving a subsidy of Re 1 on each fingerling given by NFDB.

The Minister regretted that the area sunder shrimp cultivation had come down in the State drastically due to outbreak of a virus.

'hardly' industrialized??? What that does mean you have no manufacturing base in A.P???? Very Funny....From Oil & Gas to Steel Plants We Have Everything But Except Automobile Manufacturing Unit.

AP has more of heavy industies rather than medium sized or cottage industry which provide jobs to masses. In tamilnadu we can see lots of cities which specilizes in some kind of cottage industry.
coimbattore - engineering, garments
salem - steel, garments
sivakasi - crackers, printing

Andhra announces free package for ONGC plant (http://www.commodityonline.com/news/topstory/newsdetails.php?id=4698)



HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a free package to ONGC for its new mega refinery in the state.

The package, includes 1,500 acres of free land, free water, exclusive power lines and roads along with rail connectivity, an effluent disposal system and communication facilities, was announced to ensure that the Rs 25,600-crore petroleum refinery is set up at Kakinada in the state.

The state has already acquired 8,000 acres of land to set up a Special Economic Zone at Kakinada. Apart from these benefits, the government is also ready to give full tax benefits as the unit is 100 per cent export oriented. However, it is not willing to give any sales tax concession to the end product within the state

ONGC plans to set up a 15 million tonne refinery with high complexity configuration by spending Rs 25,000 crore. It will spend another Rs 600 crore to build a single-point mooring and a sub-sea pipeline to transport crude oil to the project site.

In the coming economic and oil crisis, industrialised society will be effected more. People in agrainian economy are more happier (if we avoid too much cash crops)

Follow the links at the end of this animation :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulxe1ie-vEY

I firmly agree! Thousands of people in Salem, Karur, Erode and Tirupur are suffering from various diseases including cancer, organ failure, infertility, etc.. due to indiscriminate discharge of pollutents by dyeing and tanning industries.

So is the case with Vellore leather belt, Cuddalore Chemical belt and Tuticorin heavy chemical industries.

The effect of Cuddalore sipcot is going to impact the lives of poor villagers in the surrounding areas for several generations to come. It is not so uncommon to come across cases of malformed new born babies.

People in these regions are longing to return back to peaceful agrarian era and it is this anger of people that political parties like PMK are trying to capitalize to win votes.

I seriously pity people in Vishakapatnam, Nellore and Kakinada belt whose livelyhood AP government is so seriously trying to destroy!

AP has more of heavy industies rather than medium sized or cottage industry which provide jobs to masses. In tamilnadu we can see lots of cities which specilizes in some kind of cottage industry.
coimbattore - engineering, garments
salem - steel, garments
sivakasi - crackers, printing

You have forgotten leather industry in TN. For ur information TN contributes 30% of the total leather products manufactured in India.Can u name atleast six heavy industry in A.P as i am curious to know.

I firmly agree! Thousands of people in Salem, Karur, Erode and Tirupur are suffering from various diseases including cancer, organ failure, infertility, etc.. due to indiscriminate discharge of pollutents by dyeing and tanning industries.

So is the case with Vellore leather belt, Cuddalore Chemical belt and Tuticorin heavy chemical industries.

The effect of Cuddalore sipcot is going to impact the lives of poor villagers in the surrounding areas for several generations to come. It is not so uncommon to come across cases of malformed new born babies.

People in these regions are longing to return back to peaceful agrarian era and it is this anger of people that political parties like PMK are trying to capitalize to win votes.

I seriously pity people in Vishakapatnam, Nellore and Kakinada belt whose livelyhood AP government is so seriously trying to destroy!

There isn't Much Of Environmental Issues in & around Vizag,Kakinada or Nellore as the Industries are located Far Away From Sub-Urbs.Heavy Industries aren't located in Densely Populated Areas.

You have forgotten leather industry in TN. For ur information TN contributes 30% of the total leather products manufactured in India.Can u name atleast six heavy industry in A.P as i am curious to know.

Singareni - Mining
Heavy industries around Ramagundum and kothagudem (coal belt)
-NTPC(3), KTPC, BPL, Navabharat ferro alloys, Thapar paper and yarn plant, ITC bhadrachalam, Heavy water plant(Manuguru), ACC cement's(manchiryala), Birla cements(karimnagar) etc

Vishaka steel, Sugar factory in bhodan, Oil refineries around vishakapatnam, simhadri power plant. These are just a few to mention

I said AP is in better position to cope with economic crisis because of lesser industrialisation. Many energy exporting countries are avoiding long-term contracts. Already plans to setup to Fertiliser plants are shelved due to lack of access to natural gas. The new thermal plants will be shelved as the new Australian govt is anti-mining. Coal will enter shortages in less than 20 years time and oil in less than 10 years time to start rationing.
Peak everything! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TCbl3bpPvY
longer series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybRz91eimTg

DPMA seeks 1,000 acres (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/09/stories/2008010956300600.htm)



HYDERABAD: Minister for Major Industries J. Geeta Reddy has asked the CMD of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) to identify 1,000 acres for small and medium enterprises in the backward districts of the State.

A delegation of Drugs and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association, under the leadership of A. Venkata Reddy, called on the Minister here on Tuesday and appealed her to allocate land near Ongole in Prakasam district to set up industries. They informed her that they could not afford the price being quoted by the developer of Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City in Visakhapatnam. Besides, the land in the Pharma City was fully occupied.

The association told the Minister that it would constitute a special purpose vehicle for the development of world-class infrastructure and the member-industries were ready to contribute the total project cost and . rehabilitation packages

AP pharma body seeks land for SMEs in Ongole (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/09/stories/2008010952241200.htm)



Hyderabad, Jan. 8

Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturers Association (DPMA) has requested the State Government to allocate 1,000 acres of land near Ongole for setting up of small and medium enterprises exclusively.

A delegation led by the DPMA Chairman, Mr A. Venkata Reddy, met Ms Geetha Reddy, Minister for Major Industries, Government of Andhra Pradesh, here on Tuesday and submitted a representation for allocation of land through the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC).

The DPMA would constitute a Special Purpose Vehicle for creating world-class infrastructure facilities and the member industries were ready to contribute the total cost of project, the DPMA said in its representation.

In view of the “unaffordable” land prices in and around Hyderabad, the SMEs were not in a position to set up new manufacturing units.

Though the State Government developed Pharma City in Visakhapatnam with a private developer Ramky Group, the situation was not conducive for the SMEs, according to DPMA.

“Around 450 acres of land was allotted to the major bulk drug industries two years ago at Rs 16 lakh per acre.

Surprisingly, today, the developer is quoting Rs 75 lakh to Rs 100 lakh per acre. Further, Ramky is conveying orally that the land is fully occupied. Hence, the land in Pharma City is beyond the reach of SMEs,” the representation said.

The association had also brought to the notice of the State Government that Karnataka and Maharashtra were inviting SMEs from the State by offering land at Rs 4 lakh per acre with all basic infrastructure. “Already few companies from our State have moved to Sholapur and Raichur,” it said.

The available land in the Ongole district would help the industry as it was close to the national highway and the Chennai port.

It would also boost employment generation in the predominantly rural district, it pointed out.

I said AP is in better position to cope with economic crisis because of lesser industrialisation. Many energy exporting countries are avoiding long-term contracts. Already plans to setup to Fertiliser plants are shelved due to lack of access to natural gas. The new thermal plants will be shelved as the new Australian govt is anti-mining. Coal will enter shortages in less than 20 years time and oil in less than 10 years time to start rationing.
Peak everything! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TCbl3bpPvY
longer series http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybRz91eimTg

An acre of Paddy cultivation at most can yield 30 quintals. At Rs 700 per quintal one can earn Rs 21000. Subtract cost of seeds,fertilizers,pesticides,labour etc. The return is so poor that an average family sustaining only on farming will be hard put to meet daily requirement. The land lords will survive.But the agriculture labour(50 % and above) will remain poverty stricken..

We must have alternate source of income for this group. That can come from only construction,manufacturing,logistics,trading etc.

Paddy is grown in such large scale, you get the effect of growing cash crop.
I didnt say farming will make you rich.
The current situation is that farmers are not able to get fertiliser
due to shortage of fertiliser. I used to consider organic farming just a fad, time has come for its necessity. Our farmers show herd mentality in trying to get-rich-quick.There is lot to be done for agriculture by educating farmers.
If you follow the links I posted (related videos), you will know developing agriculture is the only way to avoid large dieoff of the urban poor.

An acre of Paddy cultivation at most can yield 30 quintals. At Rs 700 per quintal one can earn Rs 21000. Subtract cost of seeds,fertilizers,pesticides,labour etc. The return is so poor that an average family sustaining only on farming will be hard put to meet daily requirement. The land lords will survive.But the agriculture labour(50 % and above) will remain poverty stricken..

We must have alternate source of income for this group. That can come from only construction,manufacturing,logistics,trading etc.

AP Govt asks US to invest in hospital infrastructure (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/10/stories/2008011051162300.htm)



Hyderabad, Jan. 9

The State Government has asked the US to invest in building hospital infrastructure in the State.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, made this request to Mr Michael O. Leavitt, Secretary, US Department of Health and Human Services, and Mr Andrew von Eschenbach, Commissioner US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), after a presentation on ‘Arogya Sri’ scheme of the Government here on Tuesday.

Besides investment, the US could also advice and help the State Government in providing quality healthcare to the poor, the Chief Minister said.

By September, ‘Arogya Sri’ would cover the entire below poverty line population (about 82 per cent of population) in the State, he informed the US officials.

Appreciating the healthcare initiatives taken by the Government, Mr Leavitt said though the US had a similar scheme to ‘Arogya Sri’ to provide health insurance to children, it was not comparable to what was being done in the State in the vast cover and number of beneficiaries.

Mr Eschenbach said in the US too, there were few health insurance schemes but there was a contribution or payment of premium by the beneficiaries. The scheme was impressive and could be replicated by others, he added.

The State Government had launched ‘Arogya Sri’ 282 days ago, and currently has 112 network hospitals. It had so far conducted 1,147 health schemes and screened 2.97 lakh patients and performed 10,923 surgeries, according to a release.

RKKR group doubles Krishnapatnam project size (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/10/stories/2008011050282300.htm)



The Chennai-based RKKR group, which is putting up a 5-lakh-tonne integrated, alloy-steel plant at Krishnapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, is close to securing private equity funding. The project is being implemented by a newly-formed company of the group, SBQ Steels Ltd.

Earlier, it was conceived as a 2.5-lakh-tonne project to be put up at an investment of Rs 500 crore. But now with “tremendous response from user-industries” in the Chennai-Sriperumbudur belt, especially from the anchor customer, Caparo Industries, the capacity of the plant has been doubled.

Caparo, it is understood, will buy a third of SBQ’s production. The project will now cost Rs 1,100 crore for implementation, according to Mr Rajiv Rai, Chairman of the group.

Mr Rai told Business Line that many private equity funds were keen on participating in the equity of SBQ Steels. “We are in talks with 2-3 large players from New York,” Mr Rai said.

Project details

Phase-IA of the project, consisting of one blast furnace and a sinter plant, will produce 2.5-lakh tonnes of foundry grade (high-value) pig iron, market for which exists close-by. This unit will consume investments of Rs 300 crore and will be production-ready by September, Mr Rai said.

Phase-IB, to be put up at a cost of Rs 400 crore and completed by March 2009, will produce half a million tonnes of steel, essentially meant for the auto industry.

Technical tie up

“SBQ is looking for a technical partnership with a Japanese or European speciality steel manufacturer, so that the products manufactured are to international specifications,” Mr Rai said. Certification by auto majors is a necessity for a steel maker and hence the technical tie-up, he added.

Merchant power plant

Meanwhile, the RKKR group has also evinced interest in putting up a 1,200-MW merchant power plant in Nellore district, based on imported coal.

It has also approached the Jharkhand Government to set up a 2-million-tonne integrated steel plant in the State.

Mr Rai said he had met the State Chief Minister, Mr Madhu Kora, who has offered all assistance. The group also wants to acquire iron ore mines in Karnataka or form a joint venture with a company that has mining rights.

An acre of Paddy cultivation at most can yield 30 quintals. At Rs 700 per quintal one can earn Rs 21000. Subtract cost of seeds,fertilizers,pesticides,labour etc.

Fertiliser prices are sky-rocketing as natural gas increases in price.
First we need to move away from external inputs to agriculture. This means farmers produces their own seed, fertiliser and even energy (use wind power to lift water). This doesnt mean going back to pre-green revolution days. We need to use modern materials like bacteria, fungus to produce these inputs in the villages. This will cause to some planned decrease in food production, but its better than large scale famines if we dont do anything.

We must have alternate source of income for this group. That can come from only construction,manufacturing,logistics,trading etc.

The alternate source of income doesn't exist if economy is contracting. There will be large scale of unemployment as cities face high food prices and power cuts. All this sounds like negative talk, but we will overcome the difficulties only by educating and preparing.

There isn't Much Of Environmental Issues in & around Vizag,Kakinada or Nellore as the Industries are located Far Away From Sub-Urbs.Heavy Industries aren't located in Densely Populated Areas.

Fantastic statement:lol::lol::lol::lol:No environmental issues in Vizag:hahaha::hahaha:U know the fertile lands have been destroyed in Nellore dist due to indiscriminate shrimp farming converting the soil to saline and poisoned by use of chemicals in the shrimp ponds.Can u define Heavy Industry?

AP has more of heavy industies rather than medium sized or cottage industry which provide jobs to masses. In tamilnadu we can see lots of cities which specilizes in some kind of cottage industry.
coimbattore - engineering, garments
salem - steel, garments
sivakasi - crackers, printing

Here are some information on TN
http://www.bharatonline.com/tamilnadu/travel-tips/economy.html

DC:
RIL’s 3-tier gas tariff is boon for AP
Hyderabad, Jan. 9: Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has decided to introduce three-tier tariff for supply of natural gas, much to the relief of power companies and fertiliser projects of the state. They need to pay only 17 to 45 cents (approximately Rs 6.60 to Rs 17.50) per Million Metric British thermal unit of gas while those outside the state will have to pay 93 cents (approximately Rs 36.25) per MMBtu.

This tariff system will benefit projects in Godavari districts the most since they would only have to pay Rs 6.60 per MMBtu. Many major projects are located in this region including Konaseema Power, Vemagiri, GVK stage II, AP Gas power plants and Nagarjuna Fertilisers units. Projects in other areas of the state would have to pay approximately Rs 17.50 as tariff.

“This is to honour our commitment to Andhra Pradesh,” said Mr P.M.S. Prasad, chief executive officer of Reliance Petroleum Ltd. “All gas-based power projects and fertiliser units will benefit.”. Mr Prasad told this correspondent from Mumbai that commercial production from the Krishna Godavari basin would start in the middle of this year.
“Our top priority is to revive units which are idling because of gas shortage,” he added. “We had promised the state government that we will do this as soon as production starts at KG basin. That will be honoured.”

RIL will also supply gas to units which are unable to run at full capacity including Lanco, Spectrum and GVK power plants. “We will give additional gas to these units so that they could be run at full capacity,” said Mr Prasad. The government would also be able to reopen the National Fertilisers at Ramagundam unit as RIL has agreed to supply gas to the plant. The company has already inked agreements for 18 MSCMD in the state with various projects including Nagarjuna Fertilisers.

^^ Good news. They should build more fertilser plants and supply for homes. No more gas-based power stations.

http://www.business-standard.com/compindustry/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=310681&subLeft=1&leftnm=1

Maa Mahamaya Industries Limited (MMIL), which runs a mini-integrated steel plant in Vizainagaram district, is planning to double its production capacity to 2.4 million tonne.

“At present, we have the capacity to produce 1.2 lakh tonne of TMT bars and rods, which we want to increase to 2.4 lakh tonne over the next two-three years at an investment of about Rs 250 crore,” Ashok Kumar Agarwal, chairman and managing director, Maa Mahamaya Industries, said.

http://img210.imageshack.us/img210/9571/getoriginalze3.jpg

Source (http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2038/2181409689_a55b95b0ea_o.jpg)

No more gas-based power stations.

News states the opposite. That gas-based power plants will be preferred.

Also, news is all wrong. Global price for gas is about $6-8/mmbtu. And at this price, you will not find any gas based power plants getting started. And this price will only go higher once the infrastructure is ready for use by transportation sector.

But if you are a peak oil believer, you would know that primary issue is transportation sector. And so you would see more and more such natural gas being diverted to transportation. Dabhol will never start. And likewise all such gas based power plants in AP will never see the light. Only option for India is to build power plants using coal. Gas that is being discovered in KG basin (if we have to believe the numbers from these exploration companies) would be too expensive to sell only in AP. It would be sold to consumers across India.

News states the opposite. That gas-based power plants will be preferred. .

Thats true. Because policy-makers are not informed.
And mass media is like news on the titanic ship before it collapsed.


But if you are a peak oil believer, you would know that primary issue is transportation sector. And so you would see more and more such natural gas being diverted to transportation..

It takes lot of money & time to build the infrastructure to use natural gas transport. I dont think the finances will be good when the crisis hits the fan.
In A.P. Farmers will vote for cheap fertiliser supply.


Gas that is being discovered in KG basin (if we have to believe the numbers from these exploration companies) would be too expensive to sell only in AP. It would be sold to consumers across India

Your premise is AP is too poor like Bihar to afford to use the resources and other states can afford to spend increasily expensive transportation.

But if you are a peak oil believer, you would know that primary issue is transportation sector.
Probably true for US.

The eventual problem is food supply. I started posting about ..after realizing a great number of people may die.

It takes lot of money & time to build the infrastructure to use natural gas transport. I dont think the finances will be good when the crisis hits the fan.
In A.P. Farmers will vote for cheap fertiliser supply.

I don't know what you mean by finances will be good/bad etc. If there is energy crisis, then more money would be allocated to this sector. Infrastructure already exists in Gujarat, Delhi and parts of Maharastra. It is being built in South India.

Also, AP farmers don't decide how this NG should be priced/allocated. This gas is owned by Reliance and they will sell it at global prices to the highest bidder. There is nothing in the contracts or government policies that will help AP farmers particularly. There is a % of gas produced by private sector that has to be given back to Indian government. This is called profit gas which central government chooses how it is distributed. Fertilizer sector gets part of it and is subsidized. This subsidy grown massively is the last 2-3 years and exceeds about 50,000 crores (gas prices have tripled in this period).



Your premise is AP is too poor like Bihar to afford to use the resources and other states can afford to spend increasily expensive transportation.
No. All of India is too poor to consume the NG if it is produced in the next few years. Most of gas that India produces is used by power sector and subsidized fertilizer sector. I doubt any of this gas would now be purchased by power sector. Gas is actually available for Dabhol (they have all the required infrastructure to bring gas to their terminal and infact were producing electricity from gas for a short while) from international markets but it is simply too expensive to produce electricity and Maharastra State EB will not buy it. Shell has a regassification terminal in Gujarat and was idle for a long time since there isn't any market for gas at these prices in India. So, it all can be used only by transportation sector as soon as transmission and distribution lines are built. And until this is done, Reliance will not produce any gas. In any case, they have huge rig shortages and are finding it tough to explore/drill gas and GOI is now considering a 2 year holiday on earlier phases of NELP. Besides, there is this dispute between Anil & Mukesh. RPL signed a contract to sell substantial portion of this gas to REL at absurdly cheap prices (RPL probably thought they would do a telecom to energy sector). But the petroleum ministry struck it down saying it is not arms length. This is a complex issue but is likely to be settled by our politicians than by law.

I don't know what you mean by finances will be good/bad etc. If there is energy crisis, then more money would be allocated to this sector.

I mean large number of businesses will go bankrupt(first in line: airlines) , with the result of drastic fall in tax revenues. Also ours is a democracy, logic will not apply in times of crisis.
I also meant gas is very expensive to transport.
AP will not help in building a pipeline to other states.

Taken rest of your points.

I mean large number of businesses will go bankrupt(first in line: airlines) , with the result of drastic fall in tax revenues. Also ours is a democracy, logic will not apply in times of crisis.
I also meant gas is very expensive to transport.
AP will not help in building a pipeline to other states.

Taken rest of your points.

Gas transportation used to be 1/3 cost of gas. It is now 1/6th and this ratio will only go down with gas prices increasing further.

AP does not build pipelines. GAIL does. It so far had a monopoly to build these transmission lines but now anyone can do it. GAIL is currently in the process of building a pipeline from KG basin to Maharastra from where it gets connected to it's existing infrastructure. GAIL also is building a pipeline from KG basin to Chennai and another one to Kolkatta. These are part of it's initiative to build a national grid.

I was not aware about the pipelines.
Thank you. I agree, then AP may not afford the Gas.

Gas transportation used to be 1/3 cost of gas. It is now 1/6th and this ratio will only go down with gas prices increasing further.

AP does not build pipelines. GAIL does. It so far had a monopoly to build these transmission lines but now anyone can do it. GAIL is currently in the process of building a pipeline from KG basin to Maharastra from where it gets connected to it's existing infrastructure. GAIL also is building a pipeline from KG basin to Chennai and another one to Kolkatta. These are part of it's initiative to build a national grid.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/18/stories/2008011856610400.htm
Another port to come up at Kakinada to cater to SEZ
Rs. 2,495-crore RIL hydrocarbon, transportation project gets the nod
Investments amounting to Rs. 52,000 crore are in the offing
KAKINADA: As a part of the plans for industrial development of Kakinada region, the State government has cleared a proposal to set up another port between Moolapet and A. V. Nagaram villages to exclusively cater to the special economic zone (SEZ).

Designed to handle 27 million tonnes of cargo, it is aimed at providing smooth operations of the units to be set up in the SEZ, thereby reducing the burden on Kakinada Seaports Limited (KSL).

In addition to this, the government has accorded formal approval for the establishment of a hydrocarbon extraction, handling and transportation unit by the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) near Gadimoga village in Tallarevu mandal of East Godavari district. This project is estimated to cost nearly Rs. 2,495 crore. The Department of Industries has been instructed to do a field inspection of the RIL project which is already in the process of building an off-shore terminal in the same area (Gadimoga) to tap the gas reserves found in K-G Basin for exporting purpose.

Another unique project which is in the conceptual stage, is the deepening and widening of the canal that links Kakinada port with Kadiam to facilitate cheaper transport of cargo for local industries and passengers in the long run.

Development: District Industries Centre General Manager and Joint Director of Industries V. R. Vijayaraghava Naik told The Hindu that investments amounting to about Rs. 52,000 crore are in the offing and the above projects will bring about unprecedented development throughout the coastal belt between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. According to official sources, the IDCAP had examined the feasibility of transporting cargo on motorised barges weighing up to 700 tonnes through the above canal, which will be widened as per the requirement.

No report yet: The INCAP is yet to submit its report. Besides, the RIL is constructing an exclusive berth at Kakinada port to transport gas to different destinations around the globe. These projects are set to catapult Kakinada region into the big league of industrial hubs like Visakhapatnam.

Good to see new industrial belt coming up!!
Make sure industries and pollution don't eatup the rice bowl area.


..V. R. Vijayaraghava Naik told The Hindu that investments amounting to about Rs. 52,000 crore are in the offing and the above projects will bring about unprecedented development throughout the coastal belt between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada.

AP claims economic growth surpasses national trend (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/01/21/stories/2008012150801500.htm)



HyderabadThe Andhra Pradesh Government has claimed that the State’s economic growth at 9.83 per cent and per capita growth rate have surpassed national economic growth trends.

Following a review meeting of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, with the Special Chief Secretary, Planning, Mr A.K. Goel, these numbers were released by the Chief Minister’s Office.

In a statement from CMO, Dr Reddy expressed satisfaction over the State achieving the growth rate of 9.83 per cent in spite of global pressures and natural calamities.

Good performance

The economic growth rate of the nation this year will be 8.5 per cent, while the growth rate during 2007-08, according to revised estimates, will be only 8.9 per cent. This is because of the shortage of essential commodities, decline in growth rate of trade, business, hotel, transport and communications, and comparative decline in agricultural growth rate.

While the per capita growth in the three quarters this year for the nation is 7.3 per cent, Andhra Pradesh recorded 8.3 per cent growth, the statement said.

The Chief Minister suggested that the industrial sector should pick up and the State should attract more foreign direct investments.

He was confident that there would be a record agricultural production this year in spite of the flash floods three times in the year. Farmers are now getting remunerative prices for maize, paddy, pulses and oilseeds. The State is expecting a buoyant performance by agricultural and allied sectors.

GSDP

The cumulative quarterly Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) from April to December 2007, at factor cost at constant (1999-2000) prices of 2007-08 is estimated at Rs 1,46,227 crore as against Rs 1,33,138 crore over corresponding period of previous fiscal of 2006-07, a growth rate of 9.83 per cent.

The methodology followed in estimations of quarterly GSDP is as that of the Quarterly Gross Domestic Product (QGDP) compiled by Central Statistical Organisation. Directorate of Economic and Statistics estimates the Quarterly Gross State Domestic Product (QGSDP).

The agriculture sector contribution during the cumulative third quarter of 2007-08 at constant (1999-2000) prices is estimated at Rs 26,539 crore as against Rs 23,660 crore in the corresponding period previous year, a growth of 12.17 per cent. There is a significant increase in the productivity of all principal crops.

Other sectors

The contribution of industries sector comprises mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas and water supply, and construction during the cumulative third quarter of 2007-08 is estimated at Rs 38,872 crores (Rs 36,078 crores), a growth of 7.74 per cent.

The construction sector has registered a growth rate of 12.20 per cent due to massive Jala Yagnam and Indiramma programmes.

The services sector contribution is estimated at Rs 80,816 crore (Rs 73,400 crore), a growth rate of 10.10 per cent. The trade sector, which reflects the performance of both agriculture and industries registered a growth of 8.57 per cent. Banking and insurance, real estate and ownership of dwellings registered a growth of 10.54 per cent and 11.27 per cent, respectively.

Fourth berth getting ready in Kakinada (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/01/21/stories/2008012150290600.htm)



The deepwater port at Kakinada will become busier, with the construction of the fourth berth nearing completion. It may be ready by March, and after obtaining the necessary clearances, Kakinada Seaports Limited plans to put it to use shortly thereafter.The Andhra Pradesh Government built the port, with three berths, nearly a decade ago and handed it over to a private consortium on a BOT basis. The ADB funded the port construction, with the cost estimated at Rs 325 crore at the time. Subsequently, the progress has been slow and the fourth berth is being built now by Navayuga Engineering.

An offshore vessel complex has also been built at the deepwater port, with one berth reserved for Reliance and the second for others such as Cairn Energy and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation. Reliance, Cairn Energy and the GSPC are engaged in exploration and exploitation of gas reserves in the Krishna-Godavari basin. Kakinada is the nearest port for these companies.

Reliance has built a captive jetty at Gadimoga village in the vicinity of Kakinada and Yanam, at the onshore gas terminal under construction. Reliance has also been permitted to construct another berth in the Kakinada deepwater port for its use. The Kakinada Seaports Limited has invested Rs 300 crore on building the fourth berth, maintenance dredging and for the construction of the offshore vessel complex.

Another port planned: There is also a proposal to build another port near Kakinada to cater exclusively to the needs of the proposed Kakinada Special Economic Zone. KSEZ sources say that the State Government has approved the plan, and details are being worked out.

However, it is not yet certain whether the ONGC’s proposed oil refinery at Kakinada will come up, as certain doubts have been expressed about its economic feasibility, though the State Government is exerting pressure on the ONGC to honour its commitment.

Old port: However, the flurry of activity in the KG basin by oil companies leaves the old anchorage port at Kakinada largely unaffected. The old port is largely dependent on rice exports. The ban on rice exports imposed by the Union Government has come as a shock for the old port, which has been doing exceedingly well for the past two or three years mainly due to rice exports.

Maytas secures mandate for Machilipatnam port (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/01/18/stories/2008011851512300.htm)



Hyderabad Maytas Infra has secured the mandate to develop a port at Machilipatnam with the State Cabinet formally approving a higher cost for construction.

Initially, the project was to be developed at Gogileru with an outlay of Rs 1,255 crore. With pressure from local people and political circles, the Cabinet approved the development of project at Machilipatnam, even though it means an additional investment of about Rs 300 crore.

The developers have been asked to go ahead with the project with an assurance that the Government would pitch in for the funds. As per proposals, the foundation stone for the port development is likely to be laid by the UPA Chairman, Ms Sonia Gandhi, in April.

Functions

Addressing newspersons after the State Cabinet meeting here on Thursday, the State Information Minister, Mr Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, said the port is aimed at handling 12 million tonnes of cargo, which includes coal, fertilisers, cement and rice among others.

The port may also handle inputs for power plants and fertiliser units, and encourage ship building and repair. The Government is also evaluating a ultra mega power project here and may propose this to Centre.

When the expression of interest was issued, the project was to come up at Gogileru. However, those dependent on Machilipatnam port protested against the move to have the port at Gogileru, about 30 km from Machilipatnam.

The State Government had appointed a committee of secretaries to examine the issue on various technical parameters. The Committee may consider and recommend about additional cost for the developer, he explained.

MANAGEMENT SCHOOL

In other decisions, the cabinet approved the setting up of Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) University at Jadcherla in Mahboobnagar district. It is proposed to have Schools of Business Management, Pharmacy and Technology Management, and School of Technology Management and Engineering.

In other decisions, the Cabinet approved Government guarantee for National Minorities Commission and for Andhra Pradesh State Financial Corporation, the latter is raising funds through offer of bonds.

BioAsia 2008 likely to draw Rs 1,730-cr investment (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/01/17/stories/2008011751682300.htm)



Hyderabad Investments of around Rs 1,730 crore would be made in Andhra Pradesh by leading biotech companies over the next three to five years, according to Ms J Geetha Reddy, State’s Minister for Major Industries, Sugar and Commerce.

Speaking at a news conference to announce the BioAsia 2008 here on Wednesday, Ms Reddy said the flagship biotech event, being organised by the State Government since 2004, could bring in Rs 2,050 crore of investment.

“Of this, Rs 320 crore had already been invested while the remaining Rs 1,730 crore investment is in the pipeline,” she said.

These include Rs 1,000 crore by Biocon, Rs 500 crore by Avesthagen, Rs 300 crore by DuPont. The US-based EPR and Oncoma Group had also expressed interest in investing in Andhra Pradesh the details of which are yet to be confirmed, according to Mr K.R.K. Reddy, Director, Biotechnology.

Investment Fund

Mr B.P. Acharya, Director, Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, said APIIC Venture Capital Fund and Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park would provide assistance at the Biotech Incubation Centre (BTIC) set up by the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology at SP Biotech Park in Genome Valley.

“APPIIC-VC has earmarked Rs 200 crore while Shapoorji Pallonji has come forward with Rs 50 crore fund,” he said.

BioAsia

The firth edition of BioAsia, to be held between February 7 and 9, would drive in further investment in the biotech sector, he added.

The three-day event, to be inaugurated by Mr Hamid Ansari, Vice-President of India, would feature two special lectures by Nobel laureates Mr Martin J Evans and Prof Barry J Marshall on embryonic stem cells and helicobacter pylori respectively. Mr Evans would also be conferred this year’s Genome Valley Excellence Award.

Maa Mahamaya steel plant plans expansion (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/01/14/stories/2008011451111500.htm)



Maa Mahamaya Industries Ltd, which set up the first integrated mini steel plant in the State in Vizianagaram district, is planning to double its current capacity (1.2 lakh tonnes of TMT bars and rods per annum), if the iron ore linkage is granted by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC).

Mr Ashok Kumar Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, said at a press conference here on Saturday that the plant was set up at R.G. Peta village of Vizianagaram district and the commercial production began in October 2006.

“Under the brand name, Mangal TMT, we are selling our products in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of Kerala. The NMDC has not given us any assured iron ore linkage so far, and we are sourcing our raw material from Bellary in Karnataka and Orissa. Once we get the linkage, we plan to double the capacity,” he explained.

Expansion plans

Mr Agarwal said Mahamaya had invested Rs 290 crore in setting up the plant in an area of 103 acres, which would be sufficient for expansion, with the debt-equity ratio being 2:1. “We need to have Rs 250 crore or so for expansion and there is no problem with funds. We only have to get ore linkage,” he said.

Mr Sandip Tiwari, Vice-President (Finance), said the turnover during 2006-07 was Rs 103 crore and the projected turnover for the current financial year Rs 254 crore. “We have achieved Rs 170 crore by the end of December and we are confident of achieving the target by the end of the fiscal,” he said.

Mr Vittal, General Manager (Production), said all the teething troubles have been overcome and there is great response from the market to the company’s products.

Centre to spend Rs 3,500 cr on Andhra Pradesh fertiliser plant (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/01/12/stories/2008011252181000.htm)



Hyderabad,

As part of its plan to revive a few fertiliser plants across the country keeping in mind the shortage of fertilisers, the Union Government has given in-principle nod to revive the plant at Ramagundam in Andhra Pradesh.

“The Centre has agreed to spend Rs 3,500 crore up to 2011 to revive the plant,” said Mr N. Raghuveera Reddy, State Minister for Agriculture.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, he said the State Government had also brought to the notice of Centre the short supply of complex fertilisers.

“The Centre has not been monitoring the supply of complex fertilisers for the last so many years.

“Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, has requested them to look into the issue the way they do it for DAP. They have accepted,” he said.

Raw material

Mr Reddy said sharp increase in the raw material, which needed to be imported, had resulted in the short supply.

“Due to this problem, some plants have either cut down on their capacities or shut down a few units,” he said.

Fantastic statement:lol::lol::lol::lol:No environmental issues in Vizag:hahaha::hahaha:U know the fertile lands have been destroyed in Nellore dist due to indiscriminate shrimp farming converting the soil to saline and poisoned by use of chemicals in the shrimp ponds.Can u define Heavy Industry?

Just Make A Visit To Vizag You'll Know More Than What i Mean Then Come To a Conclusion....I Need Not Explain To You Anything More Than This Coz You Think You Know Alot But Be Always On The Ground.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/24/stories/2008012453500400.htm
Hyderabad-Vijayawada road to be six-lane
HYDERABAD: The Hyderabad-Vijayawada road will be developed into a six-lane express highway, according to Minister for Roads & Buildings T. Jeevan Reddy.

At present, a project has been taken up to make it only a four-lane facility but sufficient extent of land is being acquired to upgrade it into a six-lane highway, he said.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, the Minister said tenders would be called in two months for execution of the project. Similarly, tenders would be called next month to convert into a four-lane highway the 220-km Rajiv Rahadari connecting Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Peddapalli, Mancherial and Chennur. This project would be taken up through private-public partnership...
DC:
1 lakh cr industrial corridor on coast
Kakinada, Jan. 23: An industrial corridor will be developed between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam at a cost of Rs 1 lakh crore. The project, which will span a distance of about 130 km along the coastline, will be developed under public-private participation with assistance from the World Bank. Under the PPP proposal, the state will bear 25 per cent of the cost of the project, the Centre will fund 25 per cent and the rest will be mobilised from private sources with assistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a wing of the World Bank.

The corridor will connect Kakinada, Gangavaram and Visakhapatnam ports and meet the transportation infrastructure needs of the units that will come up as part of the project. A four-lane road will provide connectivity and overpasses will be constructed across canals and estuaries. According to state directorate of industries, steel units will be given top priority in the undertaking along with the paper industry, petrochemical facilities and allied activity. Thermal power plants have been proposed to meet the electricity supply needs of the industries in the corridor. Easy accessibility to coal imported from countries like Indonesia is the reason that the state has plumped for thermal power generation, sources said. The corridor will include the Rs 15,000-crore HPCL refinery at Vizag and the Rs 22,000-crore ONGC refinery in Kakinada SEZ.

APIIC to make all industrial parks eco-friendly (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/24/stories/2008012450662300.htm)



Hyderabad, Jan 23 Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd (APIIC) is planning to make all the industrial parks in the State eco-friendly over next two years.

A pilot project for developing Eco Industrial Parks (EEP) implemented in the Nacharam and Mallapur industrial areas on the outskirts of Hyderabad with the help of German Technical Corporation (GTZ) yielded good results.

Plans were afoot to extend the project to other industrial parks in the State, Mr B P Acharya, Managing Director, APIIC told a round table on developing eco industrial parks in Andhra Pradesh here on Wednesday.

“APIIC has 291 industrial parks including 15 notified Special Economic Zones (SEZs) spread across 86,000 acres in the State. The idea is to expand the pilot project to all the parks,” Mr Acharya said.

Out of 86,000 acres, about 9,000 acres of open space could be utilised for developing greenbelts while over 4,000 acres of roads could have road-side plantations, he opined.

APIIC had set up a Rs 50 crore fund to be utilised for eco-friendly measures and some funds may be spent on the initiative. About Rs 11 crore was spent on the pilot study.

On the role of GTZ, the official said the Germany agency supported Indo-German Institute of Advanced Technology, Visakhapatnam had been asked to environment management plans and develop a blue print of action for future.

The possibility of introducing measures such as carbon credit rating for the industries was also being examined, he added.

For better monitoring of proper waste disposal, the industry should create a watchdog agency on its own that could oversee the behaviour of the industries in pollution prevention, he suggested.

To free Hitech City in Madhapur from pollution, APIIC would be investing Rs 20 crore in developing underground drainage system. “The Hitech City has no underground sewerage system and the water is being released over ground into the Durgam Cheruvu Lake,” he said.

Ain't that chimp at the top of this page annoying or what? :crazy2:

Moving onto the next page now. Whew!

Tata Ryerson to invest Rs. 290 crore (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/24/stories/2008012456672000.htm)

KOLKATA: Tata Ryerson Ltd (TRL), a 50:50 joint venture between the Tatas and Ryerson of the U.S., is weighing options on going public, Frank Munoz, Chairman, said. Talking to reporters here on Tuesday, he said the final decision on this would be linked with the need for funds for new projects in India. “This possibility may arise between the next 12 and 24 months”, he said.

TRL is at present engaged in three new projects in India, which includes the project in Andhra Pradesh in partnership with Caterpillar of the U.S. as well as the Singur project in West Bengal.

Taken together with a third project in Uttaranchal, the company would be investing Rs. 290 crore over the next few years.

“This is being funded through a mix of internal accruals and borrowings,” Mr. Munoz said.

Sandipan Chakravarty, Managing Director, said TRL had acquired ten acres at Singur for making the foundation structure for Nano cars. Referring to the Caterpillar project, he said 100 people would be employed in this project which is coming up at Tada in Andhra Pradesh, about 70 km from Chennai. The commissioning target is August 2008.

As a trend-setter it has set up a reinforcement bar processing centre at Faridabad.

Rs. 1 cr. grant likely to improve roads in each mandal (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012553730400.htm)



HYDERABAD:The State government is contemplating to provide an allocation of Rs. 1 crore to each of the nearly 1,100 mandals in the forthcoming budget for improving the road network.

The government had already allotted Rs. 100 crore for sanitation and cleanliness in villages and was considering sanction of Rs. 1,000 crore special funds for development of village panchayats in the coming days, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy announced. Participating in the public interface on strengthening local bodies conducted by Doordarshan, he asked the elected representatives at panchayat level to effectively utilise the amounts for measures like solid waste disposal.

Dr. Reddy said the government was considering incentives to the tune of Rs. 150 crore to panchayats where elections were unanimous. A proposal to constitute special panchayats of tribal hamlets where the population was in excess of 1,000 was also under active consideration.

YVU to be developed into world-class varsity: YSR (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012550970200.htm)



KADAPA: Yogi Vemana University will be developed into a world-class university by providing necessary infrastructure and other facilities, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy said on Thursday.

While about 50 to 60 per cent of students of first standard take up university education in the US, Europe and Far Eastern nations, only eight per cent went to universities in India and the rest dropped out at various levels, he said while addressing students on Yogi Vemana University campus. The Central government has proposed to raise the percentage to 15 per cent in the 11th Five-Year Plan, he stated.

Vast human resources were the strength of India, he remarked. Andhra Pradesh was a young State and the government was striving to impart qualitative education, the Chief Minister said. Students should be imparted skills to gain expertise so that they could compete with their counterparts abroad, he said.

Universities in the State were beset with shortage of faculty members but no appointments were made in the last decade. However, his government filled all the vacancies in universities, as shortage of faculty members or students would hamper growth of educational institutions. The government was also giving adequate budgetary support to them.

1,100 acres


Yogi Vemana University, which was in a nascent stage, would have a sprawling campus of 1,100 acres soon, unlike any other varsity, and the present student strength of 1,200 should increase by ten to 20-fold, Dr. Reddy said. Universities abroad have 30,000 to 40,000 residential students. He assured governmental assistance to develop YVU into a centre of excellence.

He inaugurated a hostel building and dining block, bio-technology facility and administrative building.

YVU Vice-Chancellor A. Ramachandra Reddy said the university, started in March 2006, was imparting knowledge technology to rural students. It had 16 courses now and eight more would be started next year. YVU spent Rs. 19 crore so far and sought grant of Rs. 65 crore from the government, he said.

Minister inspects airport site (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012552450300.htm)



http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/25/images/2008012552450301.jpg

Needed inspection: Minister for Marketing M. Mareppa examining the site for the proposed airport at Orvakal on Thursday.

KURNOOL: Minister for Marketing M. Mareppa accompanied by revenue officials inspected the proposed airport site at Orvakal on the outskirts of the city on Thursday.

Mr. Mareppa said an airport was proposed on 1,000 acres at Kurnool, which received Chief Minister’s approval. If all technical hurdles were cleared, Chief Minister would lay foundation for the airport within six months.

An airport between Kurnool and Nandyal would give boost to trade in the two towns. Also, it would be convenient for the pilgrims visiting the popular shrines in the district.

Water supply would be made from the natural spring at Kalvabugga. The location of the airport would become important from the tourism angle also.

Aviation facilities would give boost for industrialization as Kurnool district was endowed with rich mineral deposits.

Mr. Mareppa promised to take up the issue of inter-city express seriously with the Union Ministry of Railways. The minister said the innovative development programmes of the government would build the image of the Congress party and Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. The progress was visible in every corner of the state after Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy government took reins.

UDA to extend jurisdiction by 400 sq km (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012558850300.htm)



To request government to bring 39 more villages in Krishna and Guntur districts under its authority

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UDA to auction 421 plots in Amaravathi Township and 4.91 acres at Truck Terminal

January 31 deadline for Ambapuram land owners to sign agreement


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VIJAYAWADA: The Vijayawada Guntur Tenali Mangalagiri Urban Development Authority (VGTM UDA) seeks to extend its jurisdiction by another 400 square km by requesting the government to bring 39 more villages – 34 in Krishna district and five in Guntur district – under its authority.

The UDA, at present, has a jurisdiction spreading over 1,954.61 sq km, covering 189 villages and four major cities and towns in Krishna and Guntur districts.

A meeting of the UDA board presided over by Krishna district Collector and in-charge chairman Navin Mittal on Thursday decided to write to the government in this regard. If the government agrees to its request, it would call for objections from the general public before taking a decision.

The board also decided to forward to the government the Master Plan for the extended area and the Zonal Development Plans (ZDPs) of 11 villages, which were already finalised by the UDA, for approval. The 11 ZDPs pertain to Kankipadu, Ketanakonda (Krishna district), Amaravathi, Tulluru, Tadikonda, Mandadam, Pedavadlapudi, Duggirala, Sekuru, Chebrolu and Vejendla (all in Guntur district).

The board decided to auction 421 vacant plots in Amaravathi Township and 4.91 acres of vacant land at Truck Terminal to step up activity at both places, Vice-Chairman Y.S. Prasad said.

Theme park

Stating that the developers of Hai Land, a theme park at Chinakakani in Guntur district, had requested to develop an approach road, Mr. Prasad said that the UDA would develop the proposed road by acquiring land.

Referring to Guntur Municipal Corporation (GMC)’s requisition to take up developmental works like parks and central lighting, he said that the works would be taken up with an estimated cost of Rs. 2 crores.

The GMC and the UDA would share the expenditure equally. Mr. Prasad said the APNGOs Association had requested the UDA to provide housing for 2,625 people. The district Collector had entrusted the task to the UDA. Approximately, 150 acres of land would be required for the proposed housing, and the UDA and the association would enter into an agreement on Friday in the presence of Chief Secretary J. Harinarayan.

The board decided to give time till January 31 to all the land owners of Ambapuram to sign the agreement for giving their lands under public-private partnership for development of a township, failing which necessary action would be initiated as required, Mr. Prasad said.

Stir against KSEZ gaining momentum (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012551501400.htm)



The agitation against the Kakinada special economic zone is gathering momentum, as the opposition parties and unions are objecting to the “coercive methods” adopted by the State Government to take possession of the lands acquired for the KSEZ in the coastal villages in the Kakinada rural mandal and surrounding areas.

The matter has been taken to the notice of the State Human Rights Commission and the latter has ordered that the status quo be maintained till it gives its verdict.

However, the anti-KSEZ activists and parties allege that there is heavy police presence in the villages and the district administration is resorting to “coercive methods”.

Several anti-KSEZ activists have been arrested.

Political support

The BJP is supporting the farmers and the party has decided to take up the issue in its National Council meeting. The Telugu Desam too is in the fray.

Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, Party President and former chief minister, is planning to visit the SEZ-affected villages later this month and conduct road shows to mobilise people.

The CPI (ML) (Liberation) is playing an active role in the agitation and several of its members have been arrested. The villages are tense and the police are keeping vigil. Though no major incident has occurred so far, the agitation seems to be reaching a flash point.

In an apparent attempt to mollify the farmers, the KSEZ authorities have increased the allocation for rehabilitation and resettlement of affected farmers and villagers. A Rs 500-crore package has been prepared for the displaced.

What The Hell is going on:bash:

Stir against KSEZ gaining momentum (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012551501400.htm)




What The Hell is going on:bash:

The Govt is creating hell for the poor farmers.

Hindujas bet big on India: Plan to invest $50 billion in five years

Davos, January 27

The diversified Hinduja Group today said it plans to invest $50 billion in power, realty, auto, healthcare and oil and gas projects in India, whose appetite for infrastructure funds is pegged at $492 billion over the next five years.

"We have made a blueprint of investment of $50 billion investment in India spread over 10 sectors in the next 4-5 years," group's global president G P Hinduja said here.

The investments will also cover areas such as IT and various other infrastructure sectors. The proposed investment will meet nearly 10 per cent of the funds that New Delhi says it needs to prop up the country's creaking infrastructure.

Hinduja, who was in Davos to participate in the World Economic Forum's annual meeting, said: "In the power sector, the group is setting up a 2,400 MW capacity power plant at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh with super-critical technology, and proposes to invest Rs 10,000-15,000 crore." "In the next six months, we could divest 49 per cent stake in this power project, through IPO route unless we find a strategic partner for the venture. However, we would keep 51 per cent stake with us," he said.

"In the IT sector, the group is looking for acquisition of suitable companies, and is open to acquiring good companies whenever suitable opportunities emerge," he said.

He said the Hinduja Group has entered into a joint venture "with Nissan and proposes to set up a light commercial vehicle (LCV) plant in the country."

“In the health care sector, the group has plans to invest $2-3 billion for setting up a chain of hospitals, clinics and medical cities in metros and second tier cities,” he said, adding that for this, the group has joined hands with Dubai World.

"In the real estate sector, the group has plans to invest $10-15 billion within the next 2-3 year period," he said, adding that the group has already acquired a land bank of over 3,500 acres in metros like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Chennai and investment would depend on how soon authorities gave required clearances for land development. — PTISOURCE (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080128/biz.htm#1)

As I said, its fundamentally wrong to setup industial parks eating up the only agricultural basin. Farmers know what is good for long term survival of our society, while the Govt is for survival through next election.

SEZ can be setup in the few dry lands between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam. Or away from coastal areas.

Stir against KSEZ gaining momentum (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/01/25/stories/2008012551501400.htm)




What The Hell is going on:bash:

FOBs under private, public partnership (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/29/stories/2008012958380300.htm)



KURNOOL: Municipal Corporation proposed foot overbridges at three places under private-public partnership (PPP) scheme. The bridges were planned at Collectorate, New Bus Stand, Rs. 40 lakh each, and at Zilla Parishad junction (Rs. 30 lakh).

Also, 170 lollipops were planned at different places, which will serve as central dividers and advertisement signboards. The lollipops will be installed at five traffic junctions also.

City Planner Sitarama Rao said the structures costing Rs. 1.30 crore will be constructed by private agencies under the supervision of the Corporation meeting all parameters. In addition to the structures, the corporation would get an advertisement tax of Rs. 25 lakh per annum.

A provision would be created at the foot-over bridges to install elevator in future so that the aged and physically challenged could use it to reach top of the bridge.

Mr. Rao said Kurnool was the first city to go for PPP structures after Hyderabad in the state. The agencies have been finalised for all the structures.

Toll to be collected on three highways in A. P. (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/31/stories/2008013159991200.htm)



HYDERABAD: Road-users will have to shell down toll tax for using three important State highways once these are upgraded into four-lane as proposed by the Andhra Pradesh Government under a project taken up with private investment.

The three roads identified for immediate upgradation are Hyderabad-Ramagundam Rajiv Rahadari, Narketpalli-Addanki and Pootalapattu-Naidupet highways. No toll is presently collected for using these roads, which have only two lanes.

A year after coming to power, the Rajasekhara Reddy Government scrapped toll collected on 16 State highways to avoid a burden on the travelling public. However, the Government on Wednesday, announced that toll would be collected for 20 years by contractors who will implement the Rs 2,000-crore project taken up to convert the roads.

Tenders for the project will be finalised shortly before grounding works in May-June.

Minister for Roads & Buildings T. Jeevan Reddy and P. Rajagopal Reddy, MD, AP Road Development Corporation, told reporters here that the toll for these three roads would be 10 per cent lower than that levied on highways managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

IIT-Medak to open in July ’08

Hyderabad, Jan. 31: The new Indian Institute of Technology being set up at Medak will start functioning from July. Admissions for nearly 200 seats in five engineering streams in the IIT will be taken up soon. “The Union Ministry for Human Resources Development has formally approved the state government’s proposal to start courses from the 2008-2009 academic year,” said Mr K.C. Reddy, chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education.He told mediapersons that efforts were on to set up the required infrastructure including accommodation facility for students.

To begin with, IIT-Medak will have five trades with 40 students each. It will initially function in a temporary campus at the Ordnance Factory in the district. “We are ready to receive the first batch in July,” said Mr Reddy. “We will move on to a permanent campus in due course.” He also said the government would set up three new universities at Mahabubnagar, Kurnool and Srikakulam during this academic year. “The government will be allotting Rs 15 crore in this year’s budget for the universities,” he said.

Source: The Hindu (http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#IIT-Medak%20to%20open%20in%20July%20%E2%80%9908)

NABARD funds for rural infrastructure (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/02/stories/2008020255510700.htm)



HYDERABAD: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned 252 rural infrastructure projects involving a loan assistance of Rs. 262.88 crore.

Rural development fund

These projects were sanctioned under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XIII) by the Project Sanctioning Committee at a meeting held in New Delhi on January 31, according to a press release from NABARD.

With this ,1,605 projects were sanctioned with assistance of Rs. 1225.28 crore during the current financial year.

The projects include 116 roads and bridges (Rs. 125.25 crore), two comprehensive protected water supply schemes, 14 minor irrigation, 19 lift irrigation and 101 bio-diesel plantations. The roads and bridges projects include 44 roads to be developed in remote and interior areas with an assistance of Rs. 63. 12 crore.

Water supply projects

The two comprehensive protected water supply projects would be in Nalgonda and Kadapa districts, envisaging supply to 56 habitations and benefiting a population of 1,26,794.

The minor irrigation projects would be implemented in Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nalgonda and Nellore districts, providing assured irrigation to 12,056 hectares.

The State Forest department has been sanctioned Rs. 22.24 crore for raising biodiesel (pongamia) plantations spread over 8,800 hectares in 16 districts.

STPI focuses on city for IT infrastructure development (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/02/stories/2008020259070500.htm)



VIJAYAWADA: The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has included Vijayawada in the list of five to six cities identified for the development of IT infrastructure and communication in the State on the lines of Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

Addressing a seminar on ‘Changing dynamics of IT industry’ here on Friday, STPI-Hyderabad Director E. Manoj Kumar said since the cost of operations increased tremendously in the State Capital, efforts were on to develop alternative software hubs in the State. He pointed out that infrastructure and air connectivity would play a major role in this regard.

Mr. Manoj Kumar said that the rent for IT space in Hyderabad had increased abnormally, almost to the tune of Rs. 80 a square foot, while this was available for just Rs. 20 to Rs. 30 a square foot in cities like Vijayawada. “We have Tirupati, Warangal, Kakinada and other cities in our mind. This is as part of the next level of IT development after Hyderabad,” he explained.

Mr. Kumar drew the attention of people to the fact that the IT companies were not able to continue the momentum of development and there were many instances of the companies announcing cuts in salary hikes. He said very recently, a software major had announced a 20 per cent cut in salary hike, which should be taken as an indication of the challenges lying ahead for IT professionals.

Harita coconut resorts opened (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020451900300.htm)



Plans afoot to introduce water sports and speed boats

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dindi attracting maximum number of tourists

The resorts were developed with Rs. 4.50 crores
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Dindi (East Godavari): Konaseema in the district, known for its scenic beauty with coconut groves, canals and islands, is going to add another feather in its cap with Harita coconut resorts in Dindi, which is becoming a popular tourist spot. Similar to Kerala’s coconut groves and resorts, Dindi is also attracting maximum number of tourists throughout the year.

Minister for Information, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Anam Ramnarayana Reddy on Sunday inaugurated Harita coconut resorts being maintained by the AP Tourism Development Corporation. Attended by Ministers Jakkampudi Rammohana Rao, Pilli Subashchandra Bose and Gollapalli Suryarao along with Amalapuram MP G.V. Harsha Kumar, MLC R. Padmaraju and APTDC MD Remond Peter, the programme was well attended by local people. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ramnarayana Reddy said that they had developed Harita with Rs.4.50 crores and intended to bring water sports and also introduce speed boats to attract more tourists. He said that they were going to arrange a jetty and provide lighting facility with Rs.1.50 lakhs. He said that plant were afoot to develop Dindi, connecting Antarvedi, Peda Mallam and Sivakodi Lanka as one tourist package.

Mr. Ramnarayana Reddy also announced that his department was going to introduce special boat with 150 seats in Dindi which would be having two conference halls. He said that they were sending APTDC MD to Kerala for further study the house boats in coconut groves. He said that they were planning to introduce agriculture tourism with the support of warehousing and marketing departments. Mr. Suryrarao said that Dindi had increased the beauty of Konaseema and asked the Tourism Department to concentrate more and exploit the resources in the region. Mr. Harsha Kumar said that from 2005 February, the area had developed and tourism potential had increased tremendously. He sought development of Odalarevu, Korangi beaches.

Kadapa-Bangalore rail route okayed (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020451180200.htm)



KADAPA: The Railway Planning Board has given administrative and technical clearances and budgetary sanctions for the Kadapa-Bangalore rail route, Rajampet MP Sai Prathap said on Sunday.

Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav announced in Parliament that the rail route was sanctioned, he said in a statement.

He thanked Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy for sanctioning 50 per cent of funds to the new rail route towards the State government’s share. Work on the railway overbridge at Rajampet was progressing briskly.

The overbridge would be completed within four months, he said quoting Railways’ Chief Bridge Engineer Arun Malik.

Mr. Sai Prathap said he was striving to secure sanction of an electric loco shed or wagon repair depot at Nandalur and to get a railway overbridge sanctioned at Railway Kodur.

AP set on ambitious oil palm project (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/02/04/stories/2008020451251700.htm)



Vijayawada, Feb. 3 Andhra Pradesh, which leads in oil palm cultivation with 75,000 hectares under the crop, is seeking to increase the area by one lakh hectares during the Eleventh Plan period, according to Ms Udaya Lakshmi, Additional Commissioner for Horticulture.

She was speaking in the three-day national conference on oil palm that began here on Saturday. It is being organised by the Society for Promotion of Oil Palm Research and Development, founded by Dr P. Rethinam, former Director of the National Research Centre on Oil Palm, near Eluru.

Material scarcity

Ms Lakshmi said even though farmers are enthusiastic, plant material scarcity is a major problem impeding the area expansion in the State.

“We are providing micro irrigation to oil palm, subsidising it to 75 per cent, and so far we have covered 20,000 hectares out of 75,000. We will soon cover the rest of the area,” she said.

The Additional Commissioner said that 12 companies were given permission to set up processing factories in the respective zones and nine of them have established the units.

She said, “Andhra Pradesh has been identified as the State with the greatest potential (4 lakh hectares) for oil palm cultivation. As we have so far realised less than one-fourth of it, we will make earnest attempts to bridge the gap,” she promised.

Teeth troubles over

Praising the efforts made the State Government, Dr Rethinam said that initially there were many sceptics, when oil palm cultivation was taken up in Andhra Pradesh.

“The teething troubles are over and farmers are now convinced that there will be very good returns on the crop. I am sure Andhra Pradesh will make rapid strides and set an example to other States,” he remarked. Referring to the scarcity of plant materials, he said that during 2007 the oil palm scenario changed dramatically in Indonesia.

Plan for road bridge at Gunadala (http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20080123001716&Page=A&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0)



VIJAYAWADA: A road overbridge (ROB) is likely to come up at the railway level crossing at Gunadala here at a cost of Rs 20 crore. The railway board is learnt to have agreed to the proposal made by officials of the roads and buildings department. It is likely to be included in the new railway budget to be presented in Parliament next month. Of the estimated expenditure, the R&B department will bear half and the railways the remaining 50 percent.

The bridge will connect Gunadala with Nunna village and provide a road link to thousands of acres of agricultural land. An old bridge on the Eluru Canal collapsed last year snapping the link between Gunadala and Nunna causing hardships to the farmers who are to transport sugar cane.

A spin-off benefit the new road overbridge will provide is the likely development of residential colonies around it, paving way for expansion of the city further. NAINAVARAM FLYOVER: The work on the flyover at Nainavaram railway gate is going apace and is likely to be completed by March next year. The construction of the flyover was taken up by the R&B and railway authorities on sharing basis and will cost them Rs 38 crore.

The flyover became necessary as the place became a bottleneck for the expansion of the city due to multiple railway gates near the milk factory. Once the flyover is complete, several villages on the other side of railway gates, including Kottur and Tadepalli, will witness increased housing activity and rapid development of the area.

As the city limits are constricted between Krishna river on one side, railway lines on another and hills on yet another side, only the inner and outer ring roads offer scope for growth and expansion of the city along and around the roads. Political leaders should speed up the project, said an official.

The VGTM Urban Development Authority has planned for an inner ring road and an outer ring road. But the proposals remain on paper without being translated into work for no obvious reasons.

Rs 50,000 crore to flow into Kakinada (http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=3&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=311574&tab=r)



A special economic zone (SEZ) anchored by a 15-million-tonne refinery and petrochemical plant, a fertiliser plant, captive ports, shipbuilding and rig-servicing yards are a few of the industrial projects planned in Kakinada, on the Coromandel Coast in Andhra Pradesh.

The total investments in the town could go well above Rs 50,000 crore, according to local government officials.

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), the country’s largest exploration and production company, is planning to spend close to Rs 26,000 crore to set up a refinery and petrochemical complex in the Kakinada SEZ. It has already acquired 8,000 acres of land for an SEZ, for which it will also be the developer.

The petrochemical plant it plans to set up in the SEZ will receive gas from Reliance Industries’ gigantic D6 block in the Krishna-Godavari basin.

“It is around the RIL gas that all of these industries will come up. Kakinada, which got its first and only industry in the form of two fertiliser plants in the early 1990s, will now see this huge spurt in industrial growth,” said a official from the local administration.

The town will also be co-host to a petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR) which is projected to attract investments of over Rs 2 lakh crore.

“The proposed investment in PCPIR, running from Visakhapatnam to Kakinada, is only for onshore areas. Similar investments are likely to be made in oil and gas exploration and production work in the offshore area of the Krishna-Godavari basin,” said M Veerabrahmaiah, joint collector and additional district magistrate, Visakhapatnam.

Much of the investments in Kakinada are expected to be made by Reliance itself. According to sources, the company plans to acquire the two existing fertiliser plants in the town.

One plant, operated by Nagarjuna Fertiliser and Chemicals Ltd (NFCL), produces urea while the other, operated by Godavari Fertiliser and Chemicals Ltd (GFCL), produces phosphatic fertilisers.

Although an NFCL official at Kakinada said the plant was not up for sale, an RIL official said the company was increasingly inclined towards making an offer for the two plants.

A port, operated by Kakinada Seaports Ltd, is also likely to be taken over by the Mukesh Ambani-promoted company. “It is the only weak link in the entire chain of gas production from the D6 block. If we can manage to take over the port, the risk of the chain breaking will minimise,” the RIL official said.

RIL had earlier wanted to build a berth for its captive use for loading offshore supply vessels which feed its exploration work in the K-G basin. It currently operates from a dedicated jetty at the port, for which it pays Kakinada Seaports Rs 95 lakh per month.

Kakinada Seaport’s chief operating officer Surya Prakash Gutta said the company would sell for a price of Rs 500 crore. The two fertiliser plants are located adjacent to the port.

The Kakinada district administration official said the various companies such as construction firm Larsen & Toubro and Dubai Ports are interested in building a shipbuilding yard in the Kakinada coast. “The yard will also service the rigs which the oil companies use for drilling in the seas,” the official said.

Rigs, which need to be serviced every 3-4 years, have currently been sent to Dubai and Singapore for servicing. The official says investment in building a single shipyard could be to the tune of Rs 4,000 crore.

All of this has resulted in zooming land prices in this Pensioner’s Paradise, the name by which Kakinada is also known. “The price of land has almost doubled over the last couple of years. Cost of living has increased manifold,” Gutta said.

Employment is also on the rise in Kakinada. “That is one of the major ways in which the local people are benefiting,” Tatavarty Srinivasa Rao, a social activist in Kakinada, said.

The man, who protested the privatisation of the Kakinada port 10 years ago, adds: “It gives great potential for industry and training.”

Kakinada: Rice bowl set to be gas hub (http://www.business-standard.com/bsonline/storypage.php?leftnm=3&autono=311457)



Pensioner’s Paradise, the name by which Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh is known, is fast becoming a misnomer.

The town is filling up with engineers and contractors, all working to bring to production the huge volumes of Reliance Industries’ gas from an area 30 nautical miles off the town’s coast.

“The population of this town will soon touch a million from the current 500,000-600,000. The slow pace of life is quickly changing and we will not be able to recognise this town a couple of years later,” said Surya Prakash Gutta, chief operating officer of Kakinada Seaports Ltd, the company which runs the Kakinada Port.

Most of the engineers pouring into Kakinada are working on the gas receiving and processing terminal that Reliance is constructing at Gadimoga, around 30 km from here.

EAST GODAVARI DISTRICT FACTFILE
Headquarters: Kakinada
Area: 10,807 sq km
Population: 4.9 million
Urban population: 25%
Density: 451 per sq km
Literacy: 65.49%
Population distribution
Workers: 38.47%
Mining & Quarrying: 0.23%
Manufacturing (non-household) industries: 5.26%
Household industries: 3.25%
Construction: 1.08%
Services: 22.28%
Source: Andhra Pradesh government website


Reliance is spending close to Rs 10,000 crore to build the terminal, over an area of 214 acres. “The town of Kakinada is not just lucky, it is blessed,” a Reliance official working at the gas terminal says, as he points out that there are over 10,000 workers at the terminal at any point of time.

“We have to work overtime to complete the terminal in time so gas production from the offshore block can begin. It’s an immense task and we need all the men we can get,” the official added.

The 214-acre gas terminal area houses water tanks and desalination plants which will supply clean water to four villages in the terminal’s proximity. The Reliance official says the company has adopted the villages. “We provide basic medical facilities, school and free books to the residents,” he says.

Acquiring land for the terminal, however, was not easy as the area is highly fertile, fed by the rivers Godavari and Krishna. At least three crops of paddy are grown in the area — also known as the rice bowl of the state — in a single year.

“There was a lot of problem in acquiring the land. But the government helped us somewhat,” the official said, adding the land was bought at market rates and farmers were not paid a premium.

In Visakhapatnam, 150 km away, Joint Collector and Additional District Magistrate M Verrabrabmaiah says an amendment to the state Land Acquisition Act enables the district authorities and the state government to pay a premium of 100 per cent of the market value of the land to farmers.

Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) has also bought land adjacent to Reliance’s terminal for a similar facility to process its gas from the shallow waters, off Kakinada. Construction work has not started, though. Oil and Natural Gas Corporation is also planning to acquire land for a similar terminal to process its K-G basin gas.

However, there are some who are not happy with the turn of events. “All of this acquisition of fertile land will finish us off,” says MK Rao, who leads a retired life around the Gadimoga area, after working in Tanzania for over 20 years.

Meanwhile, Kakinada continues to wait for the consequence of these projects. In the 1990s, Nagarjuna Fertilisers and Chemicals and Godavari Fertilisers and Chemicals had opened two plants in the town.

“The people feel they did not benefit from the industries as much as they wanted to. Most are now waiting to see what Reliance will bring to their lives,” said SV Ramarao, distributor for the Eenudu group of publications.

Some in Kakinada are converting their homes into guest houses to accommodate the nearly 2,000 foreign engineers expected to come to the town over the next six months.

And everyone is talking of the gas. Tatavarty Srinivasa Rao, chairman of the Jana Sikshana Samshtha, a non-government organisation, says there are two aspects to the gas.

“One is directly using it as cooking fuel. The other is an enhancement of the industrial process,” he said, adding “these are exciting times to live in Kakinada.”


Bright Days Ahead For Kakinada in Future Gonna Be Next Texas Or New Mexico Of The East.

“Include Southern Splendour in rly. budget” (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/05/stories/2008020553470600.htm)



HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has urged the Union Railway Ministry to include Southern Splendour project in the Railway budget of the next financial year and issue necessary instructions to the officials to ensure availability of rolling stock.

He has agreed to the new policy of payment of haulage costs for operating the luxury train in place of revenue sharing.

The Union Ministry should bear 50 per cent of the capital cost involved in the project as the luxury train would cover Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa and Pondicherry .

More IIITs to be set up in public-private participation (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/05/stories/2008020557130300.htm)



KHAMMAM: Minister for Information Technology R. Damodar Reddy said here on Monday that a few more IIITs were planned in the State in public private participation mode.

Addressing a news conference here along with the Sujathanagar MLA and his brother Ram Reddy, Venkata Reddy, he said that Khamamm would be in priority list for establishing the IIIT once the private participation was considered. The Minister said that the archery talent in the tribal pockets of Khammam would be nurtured and promoted in a big way. The Government was intending to set up an archery academy by giving due support to the coaches and the students undergoing training. He said that the Government was planning to build mini-stadiums in every assembly constituency as part of an ambitious plan to promote rural sports.

Doubling, electrification of Guntur-Tenali track likely (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/06/stories/2008020656070300.htm)



GUNTUR: The South Central Railway has sent proposals to the Railway Board for doubling and electrification of the track between Guntur and Tenali. SCR General Manager H.K. Pathi on Tuesday conveyed this to Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao at a meeting held with senior railway officials of Guntur and Guntakal divisions.

Expressing his satisfaction, the MP said that doubling and electrification of track between Guntur and Tenali would reduce the travel time, thus facilitating more number of express trains coming from Chennai and vice versa to pass through Guntur. “Though the city has a railway division and is a prominent trading centre for commercial crops, there are no direct trains to cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai and Shirdi,” he said. He also made specific mention of Guntur being omitted during the playing of special trains.

He reiterated his appeal to divert Pinakini Express, Navajeevan Express, Seshadri Express, and Manmad Express to Guntur and urged the railway authorities to consider extending the Secunderabad-Mumbai Devagiri Express to Guntur.

The officials told the MP that proposal for extending the new trains – Machilipatnam-Bangalore, Machilipatnam-Mumbai – had been sent to the Railway Board.

RTC to explore vacant sites to generate revenue (http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/06/stories/2008020650170200.htm)



VIJAYAWADA: Cashing in on the real estate boom, the Vijayawada division of the AP State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) has decided to commercially exploit the vacant sites it has at various places in the city limits. To invite suggestions from prominent builders in the city, the corporation has called them for a meeting on Friday to look at different angles of the proposition aimed at generating additional revenue.

“We have sent invites to 50-odd leading builders in the city as part of our attempt to build on the progress we have achieved by overcoming a prolonged state of financial chaos,” Regional Manager of the corporation M. Seetapathi told The Hindu on Tuesday.

In addition to the roughly 70-cent site of the old bus station, which was already given to the Ambika Group of Companies for construction of a multiplex, the APSRTC has five more vacant plots, four of them in the city limits and the fifth at Ibrahimpatnam Ring Road.

Detailing the vacant properties, Mr. Seetapathi said two plots were available at Pandit Nehru Bus Station (PNBS), one abutting the National Highway and the other adjacent to the railway track. Both the plots were spread across an area of six to seven acres. The officials have chalked out a different plan for the nearly two and a half acres available at RTC’s Autonagar depot.

“We will retain the ground floor for its use as a garage, while other floors of the multi-storey structure will be built as per a commercially viable plan,” he said.

The corporation also has nearly three acres at Governorpet-II depot and a plot of about four acres at its Vidyadharapuram old staff quarters, in addition to a three-acre site at Ibrahimpatnam Ring Road.

Mr. Seetapathi said the corporation had at its disposal nearly 180 acres of vacant lands in Krishna district. A brochure published on the proposal had been sent for ‘formal clearance’ by the higher-ups of the department, he said, adding: “Based on the initial response, we’ll replicate the plan for other prime lands at places like Kankipadu and Kanchikacharla.”

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/02/07/stories/2008020751490200.htm

It will invest Rs 40 crore to set up a 80-room hotel in Hyderabad at Somajigudda, an important commercial centre. It will be a ‘3-star plus’ facility, which the company hopes to start operating by October 2009. KCP will complete the construction work on the project before finalising a management contract with hotel chains, Mr Dutt said.

The company is setting up an 80-lakh tonne-a-year cement plant at Mukthyala in Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh, at a cost of Rs 280 crore. This plant is expected to start production in March 2010. The company now operates a 6-lakh tonne-a-year plant at Guntur District, where it has completed a modernisation programme.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/08/stories/2008020855980300.htm

New bottling unit along with distillery by AB Sugars Limited will be opened at Polamuru village in Anaparti mandal.

Announcing this at a press conference here on Thursday, Rajaendra Singh Chadda, Managing Director of AB Sugars Limited said the company varied businesses like, real estates, entertainment, night club, food processing, aviation, coal mining instant foods with a turnover of Rs.10, 000 crores.

Mr. Chadda said that they would start secondary distillation unit in Polamuru with Rs.10 to 12 crores of investment along with bottling unit in five and half acre area.

He said that they will start with one lakh cases per month and they will get raw product from Punjab and will make finished product here.

Chadda said that they would produce Raffles, Siler Peg in first phase and later Golden Border/LOC brands will be manufactured in Polamuru bottling unit.

He said that the Polamuru unit will start production in first week of April.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/08/stories/2008020859080800.htm

Andhra Pradesh has put up an impressive show in economic growth for the year 2007-08 .

According to advance estimates of the national economic growth for the year which were released by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO) in New Delhi on Thursday, AP registered an economic growth of 10.37 per cent for the year against the national average of 8.37 per cent. Quoting the CSO figures, D. A. Somayajulu, advisor to Government, Economic Affairs, said Andhra Pradesh had achieved a high growth rate of 10.37 per cent in the agriculture sector while the all-India average in this sector remained sluggishly at 2.59 per cent.

This phenomenal growth in the primary sector might be due to various innovative initiatives taken by the State Government in its pursuit of pro-farmer and agriculture-friendly policies in the past three-and-half years, he said.

He said the State also made headway in industrial and services sectors too.

It registered a growth rate of 9.88 per cent in industrial sector ( national average 8.9 per cent) and 11.57 per cent in services sector (10.73 per cent).

^^

excellent, any idea where other states stand in economic growth?

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/12/stories/2008021257880100.htm
A.P. poised for 10.37 p.c. growth: Tiwari
HYDERABAD: Governor Narayan Datt Tiwari presented a bright picture of the State’s economic health and unveiled a multi-pronged strategy for development in his maiden address to the joint session of the legislature that was marred by an ugly protest by Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) legislators here on Monday.

Andhra Pradesh, he said, was poised for a 10.37 per cent annual economic growth rate against the nation’s average of 8.7 per cent in 2007-08. Complimenting the administration for this performance, he said the State had achieved an average annual growth rate of 8.73 per cent for the four year period, including the current year.

... Mr. Tiwari explained in detail the measures for development as well as for alleviation of poverty through housing, supply of rice at Rs. 2 a kg from the next fiscal and the rural employment scheme. He devoted nearly a fourth of his speech to agriculture and irrigation for which the combined budget is Rs. 13,699 crore this year, an year-on-year growth of 57 per cent since 2003-904.

... Mr. Tiwari announced that his Government would step up physical and social infrastructure to improve the (low) share of manufacturing in the economy. It would set up a university in every district, provide four-lane connectivity to all district headquarters and promote three/four star hotels in all districts.

The Governor referred to a slew of measures for the benefit of Scheduled Castes & Tribes, Backward Classes and the minorities, especially the students. Significantly, he said scholarships would be extended to “all the students of the Kapu community” and to others from economically backward sections.

Sop for Christians: Also, Christians would be given subsidy for religious visits to their holy lands in Israel on the lines of the Haj pilgrim scheme for Muslims. Similarly, the Government would assist in conducting mass marriages for Muslims and Christians from the next fiscal on the lines of `kalyanamasthu’ programme for the Hindus...

Andhra Pradesh announces countries largest budget (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Andhra_budget_crosses_Rs_1_tn/articleshow/2787859.cms)

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K Rosaiah on Saturday presented a tax-free, revenue-surplus budget for 2008-09 with the overall expenditure crossing Rs 100,000 crore (Rs 1 trillion or $25 billion), claimed to be highest figure for any state in the country.

In his budget speech, the finance minister told the state legislative assembly that the overall expenditure in the financial year 2008-09 would be Rs 1,004.36 billion comprising Rs 518.85 billion under non-plan and Rs 485.51 billion under plan heads. This would result in a revenue surplus of Rs 7.09 billion, which would be 0.2 percent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP).

The fiscal deficit is estimated to be Rs 96.57 billion, which would be 2.82 percent of the GSDP. "The state's budget of over Rs one lakh crore is the highest in the country and higher than even our neighbouring country Bangladesh," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy told reporters.

"After taking into account the overall transactions of the year, we will have a net surplus of Rs.134 crore (Rs 1.34 billion) The financial year 2008-09 is expected to end with a cash balance of Rs 120 crore (Rs 1.2 billion)," Rosaiah said.

In the last budget before the next year's elections, the Congress government focused on welfare and development programmes and increased allocation for key sectors.

This was the fifth consecutive budget presented by Rosaiah, who also holds the record of presenting most number of budgets (13) in the state.

Pointing out that the plan size of the state was the highest in the country for last two financial years, he said during 2008-09, the annual state plan is estimated at Rs 432.03 billion, which is Rs 131.85 billion higher than the previous year's plan.

"This year the plan size is proposed to be 43 percent of the budget, against 32 percent last year," he said.

He said that the transactions, as per the revised estimates of 2007-08, indicated a revenue surplus of Rs 4.51 billion against the budget revenue deficit of Rs 360 million.

The overall transactions of the current financial year are estimated to result in a net surplus of Rs 2.67 billion. After taking into account the negative balance of Rs 2.81 billion, the year-end balance is estimated to be negative at Rs 140 million.

"For the fourth consecutive year, we have been able to manage the state finances without resorting to the ways and means advances from the RBI (Reserve Bank of India)," he said.

"The state has earned a revenue surplus of about Rs 2,800 crore (Rs 28 billion) for 2006-07, ending the long and unfortunate period of revenue deficits that have adversely impacted the economic growth for the full decade 1994-2004," he said.

Stating that the annual economic growth rate during 2007-08 was 10.37 percent against the national growth rate of 8.7 percent, he said, "By substantially increasing the plan outlays year after year, we stepped up the public investment in an unprecedented manner, which is responsible for leading the state to a double digit growth rate." ........

our states budget is more than the country of bangladesh. hahahahahahahhaha. bangladesh and AP have almost the same resources(rivers, ports etc). banglas population is more than AP's. then why are they lagging?

answer:- the people.

Andhra Pradesh announces countries largest budget (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Andhra_budget_crosses_Rs_1_tn/articleshow/2787859.cms)

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K Rosaiah on Saturday presented a tax-free, revenue-surplus budget for 2008-09 with the overall expenditure crossing Rs 100,000 crore (Rs 1 trillion or $25 billion), claimed to be highest figure for any state in the country.


Pretty Kewl.....A.P Gonna Lead In India As The Most Progressive State.

Andhra Pradesh announces countries largest budget (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Andhra_budget_crosses_Rs_1_tn/articleshow/2787859.cms)

our states budget is more than the country of bangladesh. hahahahahahahhaha. bangladesh and AP have almost the same resources(rivers, ports etc). banglas population is more than AP's. then why are they lagging?

answer:- the people.

thats pretty damn impressive, but i am not that surprised. The reason for it is that, India has AP's back, who has Bangladesh's back? anyway, it still is pretty damn impressive :cheers:

Andhra Pradesh announces countries largest budget (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Andhra_budget_crosses_Rs_1_tn/articleshow/2787859.cms)

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K Rosaiah on Saturday presented a tax-free, revenue-surplus budget for 2008-09 with the overall expenditure crossing Rs 100,000 crore (Rs 1 trillion or $25 billion), claimed to be highest figure for any state in the country...

"After taking into account the overall transactions of the year, we will have a net surplus of Rs.134 crore (Rs 1.34 billion) The financial year 2008-09 is expected to end with a cash balance of Rs 120 crore (Rs 1.2 billion)," Rosaiah said...

Pointing out that the plan size of the state was the highest in the country for last two financial years, he said during 2008-09, the annual state plan is estimated at Rs 432.03 billion, which is Rs 131.85 billion higher than the previous year's plan...

He said that the transactions, as per the revised estimates of 2007-08, indicated a revenue surplus of Rs 4.51 billion against the budget revenue deficit of Rs 360 million...

"For the fourth consecutive year, we have been able to manage the state finances without resorting to the ways and means advances from the RBI (Reserve Bank of India)," he said.

"The state has earned a revenue surplus of about Rs 2,800 crore (Rs 28 billion) for 2006-07, ending the long and unfortunate period of revenue deficits that have adversely impacted the economic growth for the full decade 1994-2004," he said.

the annual economic growth rate during 2007-08 was 10.37 percent against the national growth rate of 8.7 percent...

thats an A+. :cheers:

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/20/stories/2008022058330500.htm
YSR moots second ISB in Tirupati
HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy has offered to provide land and infrastructure to establish another campus of Indian School of Business (ISB) in Tirupati. Dean of the institute M. Rammohan Rao has indicated the proposal may become a reality. Addressing the Hyderabad community at a function to felicitate the faculty members and staff of the ISB organised by TiE, an organisation of business leaders and entrepreneurs, here on Tuesday, Dr. Reddy mooted the idea of having a second campus of the ISB. The ISB was ranked 20th top B-school in the world by UK-based Financial Times. Dr. Reddy urged Prof. Rao to take up the Government’s proposal with the board of governors of the ISB.

Prof. Rao, in his reply, said chairman of the board Rajat Gupta had already been briefed about the proposal.
cool.

Andhra Pradesh announces countries largest budget (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Economy/Andhra_budget_crosses_Rs_1_tn/articleshow/2787859.cms)

HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh Finance Minister K Rosaiah on Saturday presented a tax-free, revenue-surplus budget for 2008-09 with the overall expenditure crossing Rs 100,000 crore (Rs 1 trillion or $25 billion), claimed to be highest figure for any state in the country.

In his budget speech, the finance minister told the state legislative assembly that the overall expenditure in the financial year 2008-09 would be Rs 1,004.36 billion comprising Rs 518.85 billion under non-plan and Rs 485.51 billion under plan heads. This would result in a revenue surplus of Rs 7.09 billion, which would be 0.2 percent of the gross state domestic product (GSDP).

The fiscal deficit is estimated to be Rs 96.57 billion, which would be 2.82 percent of the GSDP. "The state's budget of over Rs one lakh crore is the highest in the country and higher than even our neighbouring country Bangladesh," Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy told reporters.

"After taking into account the overall transactions of the year, we will have a net surplus of Rs.134 crore (Rs 1.34 billion) The financial year 2008-09 is expected to end with a cash balance of Rs 120 crore (Rs 1.2 billion)," Rosaiah said.

In the last budget before the next year's elections, the Congress government focused on welfare and development programmes and increased allocation for key sectors.

This was the fifth consecutive budget presented by Rosaiah, who also holds the record of presenting most number of budgets (13) in the state.

Pointing out that the plan size of the state was the highest in the country for last two financial years, he said during 2008-09, the annual state plan is estimated at Rs 432.03 billion, which is Rs 131.85 billion higher than the previous year's plan.

"This year the plan size is proposed to be 43 percent of the budget, against 32 percent last year," he said.

He said that the transactions, as per the revised estimates of 2007-08, indicated a revenue surplus of Rs 4.51 billion against the budget revenue deficit of Rs 360 million.

The overall transactions of the current financial year are estimated to result in a net surplus of Rs 2.67 billion. After taking into account the negative balance of Rs 2.81 billion, the year-end balance is estimated to be negative at Rs 140 million.

"For the fourth consecutive year, we have been able to manage the state finances without resorting to the ways and means advances from the RBI (Reserve Bank of India)," he said.

"The state has earned a revenue surplus of about Rs 2,800 crore (Rs 28 billion) for 2006-07, ending the long and unfortunate period of revenue deficits that have adversely impacted the economic growth for the full decade 1994-2004," he said.

Stating that the annual economic growth rate during 2007-08 was 10.37 percent against the national growth rate of 8.7 percent, he said, "By substantially increasing the plan outlays year after year, we stepped up the public investment in an unprecedented manner, which is responsible for leading the state to a double digit growth rate." ........

our states budget is more than the country of bangladesh. hahahahahahahhaha. bangladesh and AP have almost the same resources(rivers, ports etc). banglas population is more than AP's. then why are they lagging?

answer:- the people.

With out raising or exploring new avenues to increase tax receipts how are they going to meet the huge budgeted expenditure?Moreover borrowings are going up in leaps and bonds and may touch around Rs93k crores by the end of next fiscal.Its a Window dressing hyped boasting budget which will take the state to disaster.Despite tall claims by the present Govt farmers suicides have not abated.Primary Education and health are in shambles.Mid day meals to poor school children is a crude joke.One thing is surely happening in this" Happening State"large scale free for all in power CORRUPTION.In fact A.P is leading among all the States of this great country in corruption.:lol:

With out raising or exploring new avenues to increase tax receipts how are they going to meet the huge budgeted expenditure?Moreover borrowings are going up in leaps and bonds and may touch around Rs93k crores by the end of next fiscal.Its a Window dressing hyped boasting budget which will take the state to disaster.Despite tall claims by the present Govt farmers suicides have not abated.Primary Education and health are in shambles.Mid day meals to poor school children is a crude joke.One thing is surely happening in this" Happening State"large scale free for all in power CORRUPTION.In fact A.P is leading among all the States of this great country in corruption.:lol:

Oh The Finance Minister is Here.Let Us Call Mr.Ranga The New Finance Minister Of Andhra Pradesh.:lol:.You Know More Economics Than The Present Minister.Anyways It's Everywhere In India Corruption is Widespread in India Which Really Doesn't Mean India & Particularly Andhra Pradesh isn't Atall Developing With Rapid Pace I Think You Support Communism Alot.You Never Accept The Facts Simply Blow Out Poking Some Nonsense Thing.Every State Have Their Loans From WB Not Only A.P.

i think ranga is probably going through a mid-life crisis :nuts:
he sounds condescending and probably thinks highly of himself, which is one the symptons of getting old. :banana: this is not a personal attack ranga, just an observation based on your previous posts. no hard feelings mate...:cheers:

With out raising or exploring new avenues to increase tax receipts how are they going to meet the huge budgeted expenditure?Moreover borrowings are going up in leaps and bonds and may touch around Rs93k crores by the end of next fiscal.Its a Window dressing hyped boasting budget which will take the state to disaster.Despite tall claims by the present Govt farmers suicides have not abated.Primary Education and health are in shambles.Mid day meals to poor school children is a crude joke.One thing is surely happening in this" Happening State"large scale free for all in power CORRUPTION.In fact A.P is leading among all the States of this great country in corruption.:lol:

TWO THINGS:
1) Keynesian Economics
2) Developing Country

I don't think I need to say more.

I don't think anyone here is willing to learn stuff like Keynesian economics.
Its a waste of time trying to educate people here who keep playing "my building is taller than your building".


TWO THINGS:
1) Keynesian Economics
2) Developing Country

I don't think I need to say more.

DC:
AP seeks fair share in rail Budget
Hyderabad, Feb. 24: The government expects a fair share in the Railway Budget to be presented in Parliament on Tuesday by the Union railway minister, Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav...

The government has sought more trains between Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam and Visakhapatnam and Chennai to cater to the ever-growing passenger traffic. The government is keen on new projects particularly railway lines between Kadapa and Bangalore (255 km), Ramagundam-Manuguru (190 km) Bhadrachalam-Kovvru (151 km) and Nadikudi-Srikalahasti (390 km).

... Chennai will become closer to Hyderabad if the proposed rail route between Nadikudi and Srikalahasti is approved in the Railway Budget. At present, the distance between Hyderabad and Chennai is about 790 km. The new line will shorten the distance by 150 km.

Mr Lalu Prasad had earlier agreed for a fresh survey to take up the project stretching 390 km at an estimated cost of Rs 712 crore. The proposal has remained on paper. The government is hopeful that the Railway Board would clear the second phase of Multi Mode Transport System (MMTS) since it would reduce traffic congestion on the outskirts of the city.

The proposed second phase will provide connectivity between Secunderabad and Manoharabad (41 km), Falaknuma and Umdanagar (13 km) and Secunderabad and Bhongir (45 km) at an estimated cost of Rs 383 crore. The railway ministry sanctioned Rs 1,600 crore in the 2007-08 Budget for ongoing projects. Officials now expect at least Rs 2,000 crore in the 2008-2009 Budget for early completion of projects and modernisation of railway stations.

Can any one share the latest news about the Expansion of NH9 between Hyderabad and Vijayawada?

Rs 16,800-cr industrial corridor to come up near Nizampatnam


An integrated industrial corridor with an industrial complex, port facility, power plant and associated infrastructural facilities will be developed on the 26-kilometre stretch between Nizampatnam in Guntur district and Vodarevu in Prakasam district with Rs 16,800 crore investment.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Investment Authority of the United Arab Emirates and Matrix Enport Private Ltd here on Tuesday.

“The project, to come up in about 10,000 acres, will be one of the first few port-based industrial corridors in the country. To be competed in six years in a phased-manner, it will generate employment to 25,000 to 50,000,” Mr M. Venkata Ramana Rao, Minister for Infrastructure and Ports, Government of Andhra Pradesh told newspersons.

The Nizampatnam port project has had a controversial past with the State Government and the Czech major Skoda Export falling out of an agreement to develop the facilities.

Besides significant upgradation of Nizampatnam port, the project would also include a 2,100 MW power project with an assured cargo traffic of eight million tonnes/year of imported coal.

“Amongst other business offshore rig repairs and ship-breaking hold great potential for the product due to close proximity to the Krishna-Godavari basin,” the Minister said.

Both RAK and Matrix Enport would have 51:49 per cent stake in the project receptively, he added.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/12/stories/2008031252091100.htm

^^Cool

Rs 16,800-cr industrial corridor to come up near Nizampatnam


An integrated industrial corridor with an industrial complex, port facility, power plant and associated infrastructural facilities will be developed on the 26-kilometre stretch between Nizampatnam in Guntur district and Vodarevu in Prakasam district with Rs 16,800 crore investment.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) Investment Authority of the United Arab Emirates and Matrix Enport Private Ltd here on Tuesday.

“The project, to come up in about 10,000 acres, will be one of the first few port-based industrial corridors in the country. To be competed in six years in a phased-manner, it will generate employment to 25,000 to 50,000,” Mr M. Venkata Ramana Rao, Minister for Infrastructure and Ports, Government of Andhra Pradesh told newspersons.

The Nizampatnam port project has had a controversial past with the State Government and the Czech major Skoda Export falling out of an agreement to develop the facilities.

Besides significant upgradation of Nizampatnam port, the project would also include a 2,100 MW power project with an assured cargo traffic of eight million tonnes/year of imported coal.

“Amongst other business offshore rig repairs and ship-breaking hold great potential for the product due to close proximity to the Krishna-Godavari basin,” the Minister said.

Both RAK and Matrix Enport would have 51:49 per cent stake in the project receptively, he added.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/12/stories/2008031252091100.htm

One will have confidence if things improve fast after MOU stage.

DC
Lord Swraj given land
Hyderabad, March 24: The State government on Monday informed the Assembly that the Caparo group of Industries, owned by Lord Swraj Paul, has been allotted 2,000 acres of land at the rate of Rs 1 lakh per acre in Nellore, immediately after the House resumed after two hours of adjournment on Monday.

In a written answer submitted to the Assembly, the major industries minister, Dr J. Geeta Reddy, informed that the group would set up an Auto Aerospace Components Hub in the allotted land. The AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation has acquired the land from the farmers and transferred the same to the Caparo group. The State has also agreed to extend fiscal incentives and infrastructure facilities to the Caparo group, informed the minister...

Travelling on A.P highways have become dangerous.The following news is the source.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/25/stories/2008032559110400.htm

AP to develop 8 regional airports


With the international airport at Shamshabad promising to emerge as a hub in the country, the Andhra Pradesh Government is planning to develop eight regional airports in the State that would act as feeders to the new airport.

These airports would come at Nellore, Ongole, Ramagundam (Karimnagar), Kothagudem (Khammam), Kurnool, Tadepalligudem (West Godavari), Nizamabad and Badangi (Vizianagaram).

Addressing the inaugural of the two-day international conclave on ‘Infrastructure Today’ here on Wednesday, Mr M. Venkata Ramana Rao, State Minister for Airports and Ports, said these airports would be taken up in public-private partnership model.

The Government had already called for expression of interests for the development of these projects. “We hope to complete the process of selection of developers in three months,” he said.

Besides, the Government is looking at constructing a greenfield international airport at Visakhapatnam.

“These small airports would go a long way in providing connectivity to tier IV towns. They will trigger socio-economic growth of the regions surrounding the airport, besides acting as a feeder to the international airport,” he said.


Source.... (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/03/27/stories/2008032750782300.htm)

DC
State to get 9 major roads
Hyderabad, March 26: The Andhra Pradesh State Road Development Corporation (APSRDC) will develop nine major roads in the state, including the Rajiv Rahadaari between Hyderabad and Ramagundam in Karimanagar district, under the public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.

The roads will be developed at a cost of Rs 1,100 crore and are expected to be completed in the next three years, minister for roads and buildings T. Jeevan Reddy said. "All these nine roads, covering 1,252 km, will be developed into four-lane roads under PPP on a build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis. The road developers can recover the expenses by collecting toll from the road-users," Mr Reddy said.

APSRDC, which will be the implementing authority for all such projects, would also undertake development of 900-km length of roads with funds from the World Bank. "The World Bank will extend financial assistance to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore for developing these two-lane roads. No toll will be collected on these roads," Mr Reddy told this correspondent. He said the RDC was managing 11,119 km length of core road network in the state. Of this, 6523-km length of roads were being handed over to private contractors for a five-year performance-based maintenance.

I would be very happy, if they actually start developing the roads instead of keep telling that that they will develop the roads.

I would be very happy, if they actually start developing the roads instead of keep telling that that they will develop the roads.
I am also worried about the quality of Roads. It is not clear which Roads are get upgraded to 4 lane roads.

Hi, This is Anantha... new to Skyscrapercity...

Dunno about the quality of roads.. esp if they r made by local contractors.

the bigger, better contractors dont wanna take them in BOT cos they get in to losses.:ohno:

An inside news says that there r 35 water and irrigaation projects to come up in AP:nuts:.... esp wen there is dearth of it.:wallbash:

DC
Caparo plans to set up plant
Nellore, April 2: The Caparo group, which is setting up an automotive plant in Menakuru near Nayudupeta, is also looking for land near Krishnapatnam port to set up a related industrial unit.

Sources said that Caparo group’s chairman (Indian operations), Mr Angad Paul, had visited the Menakuru site as well as Krishnapatnam port area recently. After his visit, representatives of the group have inspected several sites near the port. They are reportedly keen on sites close to the National Highway and the port for their second unit.

Officials feel that Caparo’s decision to make luxury buses in collaboration with Hyundai motors at Menakuru would attract more investors to Nellore district. In this backdrop, officials are trying to identify lands suitable for such industries since the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has got only few hundred acres in its possession.

The APIIC is already under pressure for land from steel industries in the wake of sudden demand for steel all over the country. "We have already allotted land for two steel units belonging to Chennai and Bangalore and they are keen on taking over the land immediately," said the APIIC zonal manager, Mr S. Ramprasad.

Meanwhile, Southern India Mills Association, which had planned to set up a host of spinning mills in Menakuru, has decided not to go ahead with its project for the time being because of the recession in the market.

The land allotted to them earlier is being given to Caparo and the multi product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) being promoted by Taiwan government along with a group of industrialists from that country.

About 1,500 acres has been earmarked for Caparo and 2,500 acres for the multi product SEZ. District officials have urged port contractors to speed up the completion of at least one berth within a couple of months following pressure from the government. "We want to club the inauguration of the port and foundation laying ceremony for Genco’s thermal power project together," a senior official said.

DC
Cabinet approves land for new port
Hyderabad, April 3: The State cabinet has okayed lease of 6,262 acres of land and a concession period of 30 years for the proposed Machilipatnam port at Gilakaladinne.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, will lay the foundation stone for the mega deep water port executed by Maytas Infrastructure Private Limited, Nagarjuna Construction Company Limited, SREI Infrastructure Finance Limited and Sarat Chatterjee and company consortium in a few months.

The government awarded the contract to the consortium subject to the condition that decision of the government on additional cost, if any, on account of shifting of location from Gogileru to Gilakaladinne (Machilipatnam) would be acceptable to the developer. The government has okayed the concession period of 30 years from the date of commercial operations, extendable by 20 years provided the concessionaire shall develop the port asset as per the agreement. After signing the agreement, the port will have to commence commercial operations within 36 months.
cool.

DC
Centre, Jindal zero in on AP for shipyards
Hyderabad, April 6: The state could get two ship-building units at Kakinada and at Gangavaram. While the Jindal group has zoomed in on Kakinada, the Union shipping ministry picked Gangavaram for its proposed second unit on the east coast. Official sources told this correspondent that Jindal and Dubai Dry Docks, a Dubai government agency, will sign a memorandum of understanding on the Kakinada ship building unit.

"The two companies have formed joint venture with equal participation and the government has decided to award the project under the G2G (government to government)," a senior official said. The project cost was estimated at Rs 1,000 crore. The joint venture will reclaim 400 acres of land from the sea at Kakinada.

"Initially, ships of 50,000 to 60,000 DWT (dead weight tonnes) will be taken up. The capacity will be increased gradually," the official said. According to sources, the company proposed to set up a rig repairing unit. With regard to the Union ministry’s proposal, the government has offered support in terms of land and suggested Gangavaram, Kakinada and Vodarevu ports. The ministry chose Gangavaram. State officials expect that the Gangavaram port operators would join the project because the Centre has announced that the ship-building unit would be taken up under the PPP mode.

DC:
Gali to set up cement factory
Nandyal, (Kurnool) April 8: The Bramhani Steels Limited, being set up in Kadapa district over an area spanning over 15,000 acres, will commence commercial production by March 2009, according to the factory managing director, Mr Gali Janardhan Reddy. He had come to participate in the celebration of the local deity Sunkulamma’s festival at Kakanuru village in Bandiathmakuru mandal in Kurnool district on Monday.

He said that the steel plant was being established with the latest state-of-the-art technology, even surpassing the technology of the five noted steel plants in the world. He said that the Rs 20,000 crore company will be generating direct employment for 25,000 people, and indirect employment to 1 lakh people of the region. He said that currently, the compound wall construction was under progress, with 46 km of compound wall for the factory to be completed by the end of April.

Mr Janardhan Reddy said that the plant will produce 2.5 million tonnes of steel. Already, 3,000 people have been employed for executing civil works. Employees will be given living quarters in the factory premises. He said that he was thankful to the government for according all sorts of clearances for the factory in a span of nine months. A five star hotel and an airport with international standards will be built right in the factory premises. He said that already Rs 200 crore worth works were completed and tenders for another Rs 400 crore were being called for.

Mr Janardhana Reddy informed that he was planning to set up a cement factory at Kondameeda Bolla-varam village in Gadivemula mandal in Kurnool district...

SEZs draw huge investments
Nellore, April 8: The district would receive investments to the extent of Rs 40,150 crore through 13 industries coming up in the Special Economic Zones (SEZs). These industries are also expected to provide employment opportunities for 1,34,800 people in the next five years.

Among others, Apache Footwear Company would be investing Rs 500 crore as part of its second phase development, besides generating 30,000 jobs. Bharatiya International Limited (BIL), which is one of the world’s top five manufacturers of leather footwear, is also completing the construction of its unit at Mambattu.

The BIL will be investing Rs 300 crore and provide employment opportunities for 10,000 people. Similarly, MAS Fabric Park India, another multinational, is expected to provide jobs for 31,000 persons in a phased manner.

Their unit coming up at Chintavaram in Gudur division would bring in investment of Rs 1,500 crore. Dr Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Memorial Thermal Project proposed to come up at Nelatur in Muthhukur mandal would require an investment of Rs 8,300 crore.

Apart from this, the Reliance Ultra Mega thermal power plant is being constructed with an investment of Rs 20,000 crore. Both these power units are likely to give jobs to more than 800 people. Private sector power projects such as Meenakshi Energy Private Limited and Simhapuri Energy Private Limited are likely to set up their units near Krishnapatnam port by investing Rs 5,200 crore.

Though its investment is only Rs 500 crore, SBQ steels located at Ankulapaturu in Chillakur mandal would be generating 6,200 jobs. "The industrial scena-rio would change once Cap-aro and Taiwan industrial park proposed at Menakuru become functional," said a senior official.

According to him, more automobile giants had shown interest in setting up units in Nellore. Ashok Leyland and Tata Ryerson Limited have plans to establish their units in Mambattu, he said.

Ashok Leyland has a already acquired one acre land to set up an automotive manufacturing unit while Tata Ryerson limited is likely to set up their unit in 10 acres of land. Tata Ryerson would provide fabrication solutions for mild steel and alloy steel components and there is no need for automotive industries to go outside for their fabrication needs, the official said.

DC
Funds ready for inner ring road
Vijayawada, April 10: The first phase works of inner ring road will be started within 10 days as the land acquisition process is nearing the completion. The central urban development ministry has sanctioned Rs 74.24 crore under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM ) for the construction of 100-feet inner ring road in Vijayawada. The central government has sanctioned 50 per cent of the funds for the inner ring road project, 30 per cent of funds would be given by the state government and the remaining 20 per cent would be met by the Urban Development Authority, the VGTMUDA vice-chairman, Mr Y.S. Prasad said.

“This is the biggest project undertaken by the Uda till date. If the inner ring road is completed it will be very useful to the commuters as the travelling distance will be reduced. Vijayawada city can be expanded to the northern side as there is lesser development in that part of the city,” he said.

Nyna-varam flyover is the starting point of the inner ring road. The flyover is under construction. From there the inner ring road passes through Nuzvid road and then it takes diversion to Gunadala road and joins Ramavarapadu ring on National Highway No. 9. As many national highways are passing through the city the vehicular movement, especially in places like Kanaka Durga temple and Krishnalanka area became a big problem .

If the inner ring road is completed heavy vehicles can be diverted from the city roads. The Uda officials already completed a survey for the 100-feet inner ring road and prepared a detailed plan about the areas it passes through. They identified the land that is to be acquired from the farmers for laying the road. “The road will be laid in three phases. In the first phase the road will be laid for a distance of 3.5 km at a cost of Rs 19.76 crore.

Coastal corridor: Proposals sent to CM

RAJAHMUNDRY: The National Environmental Appraisal Committee (NEAC) and National Technical Advisory Group NTAG), have submitted their recommendations to Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy on the proposed Coastal Corridor between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam.

Speaking to reporters at the University of Petroleum and Energy Studies UPES) here on Friday, member of the group Dr RV Rama Rao, said the Government had entrusted the remaining work to Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC).

"We have recommended to the Government to form at least two mandals with five or four fishermen villages in the four districts for their uplift on all fronts. The funds could be directly spent on them," he said.

The Government should take steps for the welfare of the people as well as fisherman community affected by the construction of the proposed corrdior, he said.

The corridor would come up within the limits of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam, at a cost of Rs 81,000 crore. Brushing aside the apprehensions about the coastal corridor, he said: "There will be no problem to the people of this area," he opinied.

Earlier, participating in a seminar conducted on Oil and Gas here on Friday, he said there were abundant opportunities in the field of oil and gas sector across the world. The offshore search for oil and gas was receving a great impetus from the exploration and development programme being taken up by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation and CAIRN companies, he said.

To protect the environment and the flora and fauna during the drilling operations, and safeguard people he suggeted the establishment of an oil spill response unit. To ward off threat posed to offshore installations from terrorist groups, he said, the Defence Ministry had established a special command FODAG.

GAIL general manager Narendra Kumar, UPES dean Doctor BP Pandey, centre director Dr KV Mohan Rao, seminar convenor Professor KV Rao and several others were participated in the seminar.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEA20080419020057&Page=A&Title=Southern+News+-+Andhra+Pradesh&Topic=0

DC
AP plan rises by Rs 13,000 crore
Hyderabad, April 20: Andhra Pradesh’s annual plan outlay for 2008-09 is likely to be pegged at Rs 43,203 crore. This will be about Rs 13,000 crore more than that fixed for the previous financial year, official sources at the chief minister’s office said. As per estimates, the state’s revenue receipts for 2008-2009 are expected to be Rs 70,927 crore and capital receipts is pegged at Rs 29,509 crore with a total revenue expenditure of Rs 70,217 crore. The state is likely to have a revenue surplus of Rs 709 crore in 2008-09 as per budget estimates, which is about 0.2 per cent of the state’s GDP. The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, will meet the deputy chairman of Planning Commission, Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, in New Delhi on Monday to finalise the plan;

Andhra Pradesh, which set a record by achieving the largest plan outlay in the entire country last year, will be adding another distinction by getting a major share of the plan funds this fiscal year as well, according to sources. The total XI plan outlay for the state is over Rs 1,84,694.64 crore. This year, the Chief Minister is expected to make a special plea for increased allocations for the Rs 2-a-kg rice scheme and also for the Hyderabad Metro Rail project. The state government’s initiatives in key sectors like irrigation, agriculture, power and health sector were appreciated by the Centre, thereby enabling increased Central assistance to push the growth further, said a senior official from the CMO. The Planning Commission was also satisfied with the state because of the effective implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme ...
election gimmick? ... may be, may be not. still, it gives a great feeling.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/21/stories/2008042157670600.htm
Work on greenfield airports to be launched soon
GUNTUR: Work on three or four of the 10 greenfield airports to be developed in the State would be launched within the next couple of months, Minister for Infrastructure, Investment and Airports Mopidevi Venkata Ramana said here on Sunday.

Guntur and Adilabad airstrips were added to the originally proposed eight for which expression of interest (EOI) was called. The Airports Authority of India clearance was obtained for some of them. While 73 companies applied for developing the airstrips and operating them on BOO basis, 43 were shortlisted for final consideration based on their eligibility as per norms.

Some of the major companies that had come forward to develop the airstrips were Mytas, GVK and GMR, he said, and added that 1,100 acres of land was identified in Prakasam district at Kothapatnam after considering two more sites at Gullapalli and near Kavali. The airstrips would basically be used for small planes to land for passenger traffic.

Land issue: “Each airport will require a minimum of 700 to 800 acres of land,” Mr. Ramana said. While the government or revenue land was available in Tadepalligudem, Nizamabad, Ramagundam, Nellore, Prakasam, and Kothagudem, it could not be finalised in Kurnool and Bobbili. Land was a problem in Guntur district with the entire quantum to be acquired from farmers as large chunks of government or semi-government lands were not available.

Tadikonda tank was considered first, but similar land was rejected by the AAI. Hence, the only alternative as of now was in Prattipadu mandal or in Pedakurapadu. But Prattipadu was being favoured as it was just 12 km from the NH 5. A deal with the farmers to part with the land was being pushed through, but it was deadlocked as price could not be settled. The farmers were asking for Rs.5 lakhs per acre, while the government was not willing to pay that amount.

Meanwhile, the Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh was conducting survey along with a World Bank team from Kakinada to Bhimili for the proposed first phase of the 148-km Coastal Corridor with an investment of Rs.1 lakh crores in the region, he said.

In the second phase, the Nizampatnam-Vodarevu 26-km stretch was proposed for development with an layout of Rs.16,500 crores. They were looking towards Russel Khaima for setting up of an oil refinery, a fertilizer unit and a power plant.

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Apr212008/editpage2008042063770.asp

It will be better for India to start planning for a time when oil will be in limited quantity and prices far above the current level.


A good introductory article from deccanherald about the need to develop railways :)

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/1708/2008042560400501so3.jpg

HYDERABAD: Pre-historic paintings using vegetable oils were traced last month on rocks within caves in the forest near Srisailam and interior Warangal district.

They were detected by the technical staff of Archaeology Department following information by a saint and some other local tribals, Archaeology Director P. Chenna Reddy told a news conference here on Thursday.

He said the paintings included animals, fish, some geometrical designs and scenes of hunting and dancing. They were in red ochre and white pigment colours. The paintings in Akkamahadevi caves of Srisailam hill ranges were ascribed to late Mesolithic times of 3,000 BC. The other paintings on rock shelters at Narsapur and Bandal of Tadvai mandal in Warangal district were dated to megalithic times of 1,000 BC. Some of the paintings were superimposed, depicting highly developed anatomical features and curves.

The features were of early historic times. Mr. Reddy said further survey was required in these areas for more information on rock art sites and rock shelters. The department planned to videograph the rock art and preserve it for posterity.

He also said a priceless stone sculpted with Parswanatha, Mahishasuramardani and Brahma with his consort Saraswati seated on a swan was also recovered in Warangal district recently. A Buddhist settlement was found in Peddauppalam village of Rayavaram mandal in Visakhapatnam district.

The director said the ancient temple complex at Mulug Ghanpur in Warangal district would be reconstructed as part of the Kakatiya Heritage Project.

Source (http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/25/stories/2008042560400500.htm)

Decks cleared for Digital Entertainment City


The decks have been cleared for the proposed Digital Entertainment City, the world-class facility designed to train animation professionals in Hyderabad.

The government will finalise the partner in the special purpose vehicle (SPV) designed to initiate the Digital Entertainment City in a few weeks. Four animation training schools - Picaso, Toonz, Crux and Taksha Academy, are in the race to set up an animation training academy in Hyderabad, according to IT secretary SK Joshi. While Picaso has a tie-up with Canada based Centennial College, Taksha has an association with University of Teesside, UK.

An SPV, Hyderabad Digital Media, has been launched to create the animation city in Hyderabad. The government is looking for an Indian animation company with foreign collaboration to be a leading partner in the project.

"We are selective about the partner and we will finalise a company with foreign collaboration in the coming 10 days. We want industry players to be part of the venture and not third party companies such as real estate developers," Joshi said.

The government will take the equity partnership for the allocated land and the rest will be borne by the leading partner and other animation companies who wish to join in the project. The total outlay of the project will be about Rs 400 crore.

The 100-acre Entertainment City will house world-class infrastructure to encourage animation, gaming, television, film, multimedia, radio, music and new media. The city will also have a Digital Entertainment City Task Force (DECTF), comprising industry leaders and state government representatives.

According to estimates, a training institute with 100 animation and gaming work stations would cost around Rs 50 crore. India has around four such institutes — including the ones managed by Infosys and DQ Entertainment. However, this is reckoned to be expensive by many institutes and IT firms.

Several IT companies that are executing offshore animation and gaming projects are interested in partnering in the animation city. Featuring in this list are Wipro, DQ Entertainment, FX Labs and 7Seas Technologies.

At present, there is a huge shortage of trained professionals in animation and gaming in India. According to a Nasscom study, India will need over 3 lakh professionals in content development and animation segment by 2008 to cope with the growing demand. At present, there are only 12,000 people available in this industry.

The animation market in India is estimated at $285 million at present and is expected to touch $1 billion by 2010. This, coupled with low overhead costs, is making India a hub for outsourcing of post production work. The industry apprehensions are that a surge in demand coupled with talent crunch will lead to huge manpower costs, taking away the cost advantage that India enjoys in this segment.

According to the CII-AT Kearney study, the total cost of making a full length movie in India is around $15-25 million compared to $100-125 million in the US.

http://www.televisionpoint.com/news2008/newsfullstory.php?id=1209010453

^^Wrong Thread Buddy Post it in Hyderabad Projects Thread in Metro Sub-Forum.By The Way Welcome to SSCI.

Krishnapatnam Port phase I set to start in June 2008



BL reported that the first phase of the INR 10,000 crore Krishnapatnam Port is all set to begin commercial operations in June 2008, in just 18 months after the work began for the conversion of the existing minor port into a major one.

With the maritime trade witnessing significant growth and Chennai Port getting congested, Krishnapatnam Port is targeting to become a hub for containers, coal and petrochemicals.

Mr CV Rao CMD of Navayuga group said that "The port is going to be the biggest container terminal in India. It has generated interest among the industry, shipping companies and power firms. There are firm plans for generation of 12,000 MW of power in the vicinity. This includes 1,800 MW unit proposed by the group."

He added that the 5,000 acre port, with a debt equity ratio of 75:25, would start off with an initial cargo capacity of 20 million tonnes and would go up to 90 million tonnes four years later.

Mr Rao said that the Andhra Pradesh government has awarded the 50 year port project to Krishnapatnam Port Company on a build operate share transfer concession. He added that "This is going to be a shorter and better destination for iron exports from the Bellary Hospet region. The transportation to and from the port to the railway lifeline would be ensured. A 600 kilometer long railway line would be laid, covering a stretch of 114 kilometer to connect Obulavaripalem, giving access to the Chennai Gooty route of the railway network. In the short term, a 26 kilometer stretch would be completed to connect Venkatachalam on the Chennai Howrah line to coincide the launch of the port in June 2008."

http://steelguru.com/news/index/2008/04/27/NDM0NTI%3D/Krishnapatnam_Port_phase_I_set_to_start_in_June_2008.html

Taiwan in talks with AP for 2,500 acre SEZ


By Sangeetha Chengappa

Bangalore, April 28: The Republic of China, popularly known as Taiwan, is in talks with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up a 2,500-acre SEZ, with an initial investment of $600 million.

The proposed SEZ will host businesses from diverse areas such as Information Technology, food processing and shoe manufacturing, to name a few. While capital has already been raised for the project, the Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be inked sometime next month.

Mr Andrew L.Y. Hsia, representative, Taipei Economic and Cultural Centre in New Delhi, who was in Bangalore to co-host a conference on the theme ‘Taiwan in the 21st Century’ told this correspondent that the Taiwanese are also talking to the governments of West Bengal and Tamil Nadu to set up similar SEZs there there.

Taiwanese officials are also discussing the MoU on avoidance of double taxation with India. Although both countries have reached an agreement, the MoU has not been formalised yet.

While most of Taiwan’s foreign investment, amo-unting to nearly $350 billion, have flown into China, Taiwan is now training its radar on Indian shores for fresh investments. According to Mr Hsia, China is fast losing its sheen as an investment destination for a variety of reasons, primarily the rising cost of land and labour. Besides, attractive incentives given to investors have been withdrawn and most exports from China face high tariff penalties.

Two-way trade between Taiwan and India rose to $8.7 billion last year from $4.7 billion two years ago. In January-February 2008 alone, two-way trade between the two countries registered a 70 per cent increase over over the same period last year, Mr Hsia said. India currently enjoys a trade surplus with Taiwan.

Mr Hsia said India and Taiwan complement each other as the former is rich in resources while the latter has manufacturing might.

http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/business/taiwan-in-talks-with-ap-for-2,500-acre-sez.aspx

State plans F1 in Anantapur


Hyderabad, May 4: The Congress government has proposed to set up a Formula One race circuit in drought-stricken Anantapur district. It was the Panchayat Raj minister, Mr J.C. Diwakar Reddy, who suggested that F1 race circuit could be established in the barren lands of O.D. Cheruvu and Amadaguru mandals of the southern part of the district.

The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, told this correspondent that the project would be taken forward since farmers were willing to give land and lot of government land was also available. "It is also near the Bangalore International Airport," he said. However, Dr Reddy added that the proposal was only at a preliminary stage at present.


A few years ago, Jorang International had offered to establish a Science City in the same area and farmers had agreed to hand over their lands. However, the project was a slow-starter. Mr Diwakar Reddy has now proposed that an F1 race circuit be set up there instead. "Nowhere in the state can we acquire so much land," he said. "I admit that F1 circuit is for the rich, but thousands of local people will get employment in the ancillary units."

The Anantapur District Collector, Mr N. Sridhar, said that almost 20,000 acres of land could be acquired. "The F1 circuit would require about 10,000 acres," he said. During the previous Telugu Desam government’s reign, there was a proposal to establish an F1 race circuit near Hyderabad. The TD government even promised to allot 2,000 acres of land near Manikonda and Gopannapalli areas in the nearby Ranga Reddy district for this. The former chief minister, Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu, and actor Akkineni Nagarjuna had met F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone and forwarded the proposal. But it did not work out.

Mr Vijay Mallya of Kingfisher Airlines later proposed to establish F1 race circuit near New Delhi and the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms Jayalalithaa, wanted one at Sriperambadur near Chennai. These proposals did not materialise either.

Source (http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#Aamir%20hurt%20on%20city%20shoot%20again)

Isn't the Science city project still on?

Japan to assist IIT-Medak
Hyderabad, May 4: Japan is keen to collaborate with the new Indian Institute of Technology coming up in Medak. It has also expressed its willingness to extend financial aid of up to Rs 4 crore to the institute. The United Kingdom and the United States are looking at joining hands with one of the three new IITs to be established in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan, and official sources said those countries are also likely to work with IIT-Medak.
The UK and US are to provide monetary assistance to the institute they choose to collaborate with.

Though Japan initially offered to assist the IIT to be set up in Bihar, it eventually dropped its plans in favour of Medak, citing poor law and order conditions in Bihar. The Centre had proposed to Japan the idea of forging a tie-up with the IIT in Bihar during the visit of the former Japanese prime minister, Mr Shinzo Abe, to India in August 2007. A three-member delegation including Mr Ryuji Sakaue, the head of the South-East Asian division in Japan’s ministry of foreign affairs and Mr Rites Megan, vice-president, International University of Japan, visited Medak on Friday and inspected the site in Kandi village, where the IIT is coming up on a 537-acre stretch.

The delegation later visited the temporary campus at the ordnance factory in Medak district, where classes will begin from the coming academic year. It inspected the progress of work related to the setting up classrooms, laboratories, hostels, staff quarters and other facilities. “Mr Sakaue has conveyed to us that nearly 20 top universities from Japan are keen to collaborate with the new IIT in Medak,” said Mr Ashutosh Mishra, principal secretary, higher education. “They are willing to assist the institute in research projects and other academic activities.”

He said the land acquisition process for the new IIT is at an advanced stage. “The acquisition of land will be completed in the next two weeks and we are likely to hand over the land to the Union ministry of human resources development by the end of May,” Mr Mishra said. He said a delegation from India would visit Japan in July to finalise the modalities regarding financial assistance and other collaborative initiatives offered by Japan.

The delegation will comprise Prof. M.S. Ananth, director, IIT-Medak, and Mr Sanjeev Sinha, director, UBS Investment Bank. Mr Sinha is the mediator between the Indian and Japanese governments in discussions to secure assistance for the new IITs.

Source (http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#Japan%20to%20assist%20IIT-Medak)

Top firms in race for NH9 project


Hyderabad, May 4: Construction majors such as GMR, L&T, Nagarjuna and Reliance Constructions are vying to grab the lucrative National Highway 9 expansion contract. The Centre had cleared the NH9 expansion project as part of the National Highway Development Programme phase-3 on Build-Operate-Transfer basis. Besides the Hyderabad-Vijayawada stretch, the Vijayawada-Machilipatnam stretch was also included in the programme to ensure connectivity to the upcoming Bandar Port.

Sources said the National Highways Authority of India is currently scrutinising the pre-qualification bids for the Rs 1,600-crore project and the process would be completed by the month-end. In all, 19 bidders have applied for the pre-qualification process for the Vijayawada-Hyderabad stretch (181-km) and 21 for the Vijayawada-Machilipatnam portion (64-km).

NHAI sources said the financial bids are expected to be finalised by the end of May and the agreement with the successful bidder will be signed in June. The successful bidder would be chosen on the basis of the company’s turnover, financial capacity, work experience and network, said the sources. Meanwhile, the state government has initiated the process of acquiring about 1,200 acres of land in Nalgonda and Krishna districts for the expansion of the Vijayawada-Hyderabad NH9. Besides, another 450 acres has to be acquired for the expansion of NH9 stretch between Vijayawada and Machilipatnam.

The Union Transport Secretary, Mr Brahma Dutt, visited Hyderabad recently and reviewed the project with the Transport Department principal secretary, Tishya Chatterjee, and other senior officials. He wanted the land acquisition process completed well in time so that the expansion works would not be hampered. There are 66 villages between Vijayawada and Hyderabad through which the NH9 passes and where land has to be acquired.

Revenue authorities in Nalgonda and Krishna districts completed the basic survey of land in 61 villages while the remaining steps are expected to be completed soon. "A formal notification for acquiring 1,200 acres of land will be issued soon after the survey work is completed," said a NHAI official overseeing the project. The NHAI has decided to build by-pass routes to prevent destruction of some villages on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad stretch.

Source (http://www.deccan.com/City/CityNews.asp?#Top%20firms%20in%20race%20for%20NH9%20project)

Ramkay Enclave, Warangal

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8586/clipboard02sf8.jpg

^^ Wow.....tht wld be wonderful for Warangal!

Warangal might be the next emerging city.....because of its proximity to Hyderabad.

:)

^^ Wow.....tht wld be wonderful for Warangal!

Warangal might be the next emerging city.....because of its proximity to Hyderabad.

:)

Don't jump to conclusion. Warangal, despite well connected by rail and road is unable to attract investments either in the manufacturing or IT sector.

Don't jump to conclusion. Warangal, despite well connected by rail and road is unable to attract investments either in the manufacturing or IT sector.

Sir....what part of "might" be didn't you get?

:ohno:

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/08/stories/2008050854990800.htm
Caparo to set up bus plant in Nellore district
HYDERABAD: Caparo Group, a global group with business interests in the manufacture of steel, automotive and general engineering products, is setting up a luxury bus manufacturing plant in collaboration with South Korea-based Hyundai Motor Company.

The plant, which is due to commence production in 2009, will be located in an industrial park at Nayudupeta in Nellore district being developed by Caparo Group.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, along with Caparo Group officials, will lay the stone for the industrial park on Thursday. Angad Paul, Chairman of Caparo India, told reporters after a meeting with Dr. Reddy on Wednesday that Hyundai Motor Company would provide technical support so that all the government regulations concerning the supply and manufacture of luxury buses in the country were complied with.

The buses that would role out of the unit would be fitted with power and efficient Euro III/IV engines, air-wide suspension and ABS system.
cool. lets hope this plant would come up without any switching of location ...

Some more

Andhra Pradesh may attract US$ 5.99 billion investments in manufacturing (http://www.ibef.org/artdisplay.aspx?tdy=1&cat_id=60&art_id=18715)

Hyderabad: Caparo to lay foundation stone for Rs 3500cr Industrial Park in Nellore today.

The Andhra Pradesh government is expecting to attract investments to the tune of Rs 25,000 crore in the manufacturing sector during the current year, according to state industries principal secretary, B Sam Bob.

Bob said there was a buoyancy in the state's manufacturing sector at present with manufacturing units coming up in 10-12 special economic zones (SEZs). These SEZs were being set up for the manufacture of footwear, apparel, semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, electronic hardware, paper and gems and jewellery.

"We are using the SEZs as a means to get employment in the rural areas," Bob told Business Standard, adding that the target this year was to create employment for 150,000 people.

According to the estimates of the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), the projected investment in the 53 notified SEZs in the state is Rs 33,000 crore. The SEZs together are expected to provide direct employment to 890,000 people and indirect employment to 1.68 million persons

Massive realestate project in Vijayawada.

129 towers coming up (43 towers in each block and 3 blocks in total).
Each tower ranging from 12-15 floors (Including the penthouses).
Inaddition, a 14 fl office block and seperate malls and mulitplexes.


StarHills (http://starhills.in/index.aspx)


Do check out the walk-through video in the above site.


http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2732/clipboard02su9.jpg


http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3148/clipboard01xh8.jpg

One more.......

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8581/starhillssq8.jpg

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/14/stories/2008051452610300.htm
Rs. 1600-cr port will give boost to development’ ONGOLE : The Rs. 16,000 crore port coming up at Motupalli-Vodarevu in Prakasam district would help the backward district grow industrially and commercially and give a boost to employment opportunities. Speaking to newspersons here on Tuesday, District Collector K Devanand sought the cooperation of all the people in acquiring 9,000 acres of land required for the purpose without any hassles expeditiously to make the dream project a reality.

The port would come up with private public participation between Motupalli and Vodarevu affectng 13 habitations. Arrangements are being made for acquiring land expeditiously by arranging attractive compensation to farmers who are losing their land. They would be paid compensation on the spot before taking possession of the land. Fishermen, who would be affected, would be rehabilitated along the coast.

Union Government will take up the project in parternship with Matrix and Rasul Kaim organisations. Land acquisition process would start from Wednesday. Matrix would acquire the land. It would open counters in the villages and take over the land after paying compensation to farmers...

Saying that the project would provide employment to thousands of technical personnel, Mr Devanand said people of the district should welcome the project and lend all their support in building the port. He pointed out that there were no industries worth mentioning except tobacco and granite in Prakasam district. The port would give an opportunity to the district to improve its trade and industries and provide employment to large number of youth. It would help Prakasam district achieve development on a par with the neighbouring Nellore, which is growing fast taking advantage of Krishnapatnam port and its proximity to Chennai, he said.
cool. its like having at least one good port in each of the coastal districts ...

East coast abuzz with activity

The East coast is buzzing with activity now. With the state government focusing on ports as another major infrastructure that can be developed jointly with private players, five ports are in the process of becoming major business hubs.
The five ports - Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram, Vodarevu, Machilipatnam and Nizampatnam - are expected to provide an unprecedented logistic support to the industrial sector in the state, particularly in locations like Nellore that are now bursting with activity.
“More ports need to come up. The concept of Way Ports that are very close to each other make transportation of goods easy for the entire country,” Capt P V K Mohan, chairman of the high-powered committee on ports, told TOI. According to him, once the ports get ready, transportation of heavy goods like steel and cement would shift to sea, leaving national highways for lighter products like FMCG goods and electronics.
Two of the five ports - Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam - are at an advanced stage of construction and would be ready for operations shortly. While a consortium led by former VisualSoft promoter D V S Raju is developing theGangavaram port with an outlay of Rs 3,500 crore, infrastructure major Navayuga group is developing the Krishnapatnam port. Incidentally, like the now operational GMRled Hyderabad international airport, the two ports too were conceived during the TDP regime. “Along with these two projects, the other three too are progressing as per schedule. Smaller ports on the East coast like Rawa, Bheemunipatnam, Kalingapatnam and Bhavanapadu would add to the series of ports we are planning,” a senior official in the government said.
A consortium led by Maytas Infra has been awarded the Machilipatnam port project while another consortium with N Prasad, former chief of pharma major Matrix, has taken up works at Nizampatnam and Vodarevu. “These are much bigger projects than an international airport. However, since they cater to the industry and not to a common man, they do not have the kind of glamour an airport has,” the official explained.
The industry, meanwhile, is waiting for the ports to become operational to cut down on the cost of raw material transportation. For instance, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) alone is expected to save about Rs 150 crore on transportation of raw material once the Gangavarm Port becomes operational. In fact, a dedicated conveyor belt is being laid from the port to the VSP site for transporting raw material.
“Every port has something interesting to offer. Several units that depend on Chennai port have problems in plying lorries through the villages en route since the villagers tend to resist and stop the vehicles. Krishnapatnam port will not have that problem,” the official said.

source timesofindia epaper

very nice. should build it.

One more.......

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8581/starhillssq8.jpg

East coast abuzz with activity
source timesofindia epaper

... The five ports - Krishnapatnam, Gangavaram, Vodarevu, Machilipatnam and Nizampatnam - are expected to provide an unprecedented logistic support to the industrial sector in the state, particularly in locations like Nellore that are now bursting with activity.

... Two of the five ports - Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam - are at an advanced stage of construction and would be ready for operations shortly. While a consortium led by former VisualSoft promoter D V S Raju is developing theGangavaram port with an outlay of Rs 3,500 crore, infrastructure major Navayuga group is developing the Krishnapatnam port. Incidentally, like the now operational GMRled Hyderabad international airport, the two ports too were conceived during the TDP regime. “Along with these two projects, the other three too are progressing as per schedule. Smaller ports on the East coast like Rawa, Bheemunipatnam, Kalingapatnam and Bhavanapadu would add to the series of ports we are planning,” a senior official in the government said.

A consortium led by Maytas Infra has been awarded the Machilipatnam port project while another consortium with N Prasad, former chief of pharma major Matrix, has taken up works at Nizampatnam and Vodarevu. “These are much bigger projects than an international airport. However, since they cater to the industry and not to a common man, they do not have the kind of glamour an airport has,” the official explained...
cool.

now for some election talk(s) ... Deccan Chronicle:
Mega status for state project
Hyderabad, May 18: The Centre has accorded mega project status to the state-owned 1,600 MW Krishnapatnam Thermal Power Project. This means there would be Rs 600-crore savings in the project cost. Delighted over the upgrade, the AP Generation Corporation has decided to expedite opening of price bid by June 3 to built the project. The first super-critical thermal project taken up in the public sector is expected to be ready by June 2012.

The mega status will give a slew of incentives including customs and excise duty waivers on the imported equipment. "Equipment and machinery will comprise a major part in the project cost. With the mega status, there will be huge savings. This in turn will reduce the total cost and per unit rate of electricity," said Mr Ajay Jain, managing director, AP Genco.

Krishnapatnam is also the site for the 4,000 MW ultra mega-power project that is being set up by Reliance Power Ltd. According to Mr Jain, acquisition of private and government land, except 10 acres of endowment land, has been completed. Relief and rehabilitation programme for 100 families has already started, he said.

Work on Metro to start in July: CM
Hyderabad, May 18: The people of the city will get drinking water round-the-clock in three to four years. Work on the Rs 8,000-crore Metro Rail will commence by the end of July. The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, made these announcements at an election rally at Baghlingampally, under Mus-heerabad constituency, on Sunday...

Naidu promises free gas links, houses for poor
Hyderabad, May 18:... Mr Naidu, who is on a 150-day rath yatra, campaigned for a friendly CPI(M) candidate in Musheerabad and for his own party in Secunderabad...

Mr Naidu addressed several roadside meetings blaming the Congress for all the problems. He promised free LPG connections for women, quota for Muslims in jobs and education, lifting of ban on toddy sales in urban areas and houses for all sections of people at affordable rates...

DC
Mega plan for industrial corridor
Kakinada, May 19: The government plans to spent Rs 20,000 crore to develop ‘linkages’ for the industrial corridor between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam. These include roads, railways, airports, ports and other external infrastructure.

The proposal has got the nod of the Centre a few days ago. Under this project, a 138 km-long coastal corridor will be built between Kakinada Port and Gangavaram Port (near Vizag) with six-lane roads and pipeline corridor at a cost of Rs 1,062 crore. In the subsequent phases the link road will be converted into an eight-lane road by spending Rs 875 crore.

As part of the programme, the present Asian Development Bank-sponsored road will be converted as a four-lane road between Kathipudi and Kakinada Port in an extent of 51.07 km. In addition to this, the National Highway 214 will be developed into four-lane road from the present two-lane at a cost of Rs 260 crore. Later, it will be developed into a six-lane road at a cost of Rs 387 crore.As part of the industrial corridor development, the existing NH 5 will be developed into six-lane road for 190 km between Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam.

In addition to this, the other external road links will be provided with Rs 512 crore. In all, Rs 4,021 crore will be spent on the road development activity as part of Industrial corridor project. For the development of rail links Rs 1,010 crore will be spend in the corridor. A rail link of 26 km will be taken up at a cost of Rs 102 crore between APSEZ and Gangavaram. For the provision of rail freight stations and for Gangavaram Port logistics Rs 730 crore will be utilised.

Further, authorities are allocating Rs 2,640 crore for developing airports in the region. This would include the development of the new Visakhapatnam International Airport with Rs 2,000 crore and the upgradation of Rajahmundry airport at Rs 120 crore. These proposals were discussed at a meet held recently by the Infrastructure Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh with allied departments.
there is a proposal to expand NH5 btn Rjy - Vij to six-lane.
and another proposal to expand NH9 btn Vij and Hyd to six-lane.
that would give us a six-lane road all the way from Visakha-Rjy-Vij to Hyd.
it may take 5-6-7 years to do all this, but at least, they have some plans!

Petro hub to fuel 3.5 L cr investment in Andhra Pradesh

A cabinet secretary-chaired panel last week cleared the first mega oil, chemical and petrochemical investment hub, which is expected to attract an investment of Rs 3,43,000 crore. Mittal Energy Investments, Total SA of France and oil refining and marketing major Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) would invest Rs 32,000 crore in the proposed petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR) which the Andhra Pradesh government has proposed in the Vishakhapatnam-East Godavari region.
The Cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA) is expected to consider the proposal on Thursday to give it the final go-ahead before the companies start construction work. The state government has a small administrative step to complete the process: notify the 603-sq km area as the petroleum, chemical and petrochemical hub, it is learned.
The massive investment — half of which has been committed by the investors — is expected to change the face of the southern state with anticipated exports of Rs 58,000 crore a year, tax receipts of Rs 46,500 crore a year and creation of 12 lakh jobs. The investment region is expected to account for 9% of the total value of goods and services produced in the state.
The Rs 32,000-crore investments by the HPCL-Mittal Energy-Total SA consortium will be the anchor tenant in the investment region, with numerous manufacturing units in the pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical and other specialised downstream industries coming up around it. The consortium will set up a 15 million metric tonne a year (mmtpa) refiningcum-petrochemical complex at the Andhra Pradesh SEZ within the region. Besides this, HPCL is expected invest another Rs 10,000 crore to double its existing 7.5 mmtpa refining capacity in the region. Public sector refining major Oil & Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) would invest Rs 31,000 crore to set up a refinery and polypropylene unit in Kakinada SEZ.
The plan is to develop a number of SEZs, industrial parks, infrastructure projects and free trade and warehousing zones in the Vishakhapatnam-East Godavari region. While the central government is expected to provide financial support of Rs 5,214 crore for building roads, ports and airports, Andhra Pradesh intends to invest Rs 2,132 crore in building infrastructure. The state will also facilitate private sector participation in infrastructure creation at a cost of Rs 10,565 crore, it is understood

source economictimes epaper

Machine to drill country’s longest tunnel arrives

HYDERABAD: Yet another tunnel boring machine (TBM), purchased from an American firm for Rs 260 crore, has reached Srisailam to drill the country’s longest tunnel (43.5 km) through Nallamala hills. The tunnel will serve as a canal to take Krishna water to Nalgonda district and possibly to Hyderabad.

Truck drivers performed a feat in moving the 130-metre machine weighing 1,400 tonnes, in pieces from the Chennai Port, negotiating treacherous hairpin curves of the Srisailam ghat road. An action plan has been finalised to assemble the pieces and start drilling a 9.2-metre diameter hole through the hills, a little upstream of the dam.

Stabiliser

Lying between 824 and 854 ft of Srisailam reservoir, the tunnel will carry 30 tmcft of water during floods in the Krishna and stabilise the AMR Canal project. The project will make drawals from Nagarjunasagar backwaters by a lift and serve three lakh acres, besides supplying drinking water to hundreds of villages.

Arrangements are on to cut the hills to 824 ft level and create a one-acre artificial open space for introducing the TBM, Y. Abdul Basheer, Chief Engineer, Srisailam, said.

The tunnel lies 300-500 metres below the earth surface as it descends the Srisailam hills and runs through Mahabubnagar district before releasing the waters into a 7.6 tmcft capacity reservoir being constructed in the Dindi valley. From here, a smaller tunnel (7.1 km), which will be manually excavated, will move the waters to the common point of the AMR canal.

Huge expenditure

Close to the Dindi Reservoir, a TBM has commenced drilling from the other end of the tunnel at Mannavaripalli. According to R. Prabhakar Reddy, Chief Engineer, Mahabubnagar, the two TBMs are expected to drill a half of the tunnel each before being abandoned.

The tunnels and the Dindi reservoir are being taken up at a cost of Rs 2,813 crore. The expenditure on the tunnels alone will be Rs 1,925 crore.

Source (http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/24/stories/2008052452600400.htm)

I'm just worried about the environmental impact of this.....Nallamalla forest is one of the few last bastions of the Tiger in India. It is really worrying....:(

One more.......

http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8581/starhillssq8.jpg
beautiful.....in which city is this project gonna come up?

^^ It is going to come up in Vijayawada

:)^^ It is going to come up in Vijayawada

Thank you.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/25/stories/2008052552910300.htm
Tirupati-Chennai four-lane road proposal gets nod
TIRUPATI: Government of India has finalised a proposal to upgrade the existing two-lane road between Tirupati and Chennai into a four-lane highway at an estimated expenditure of Rs.920 crore.

According to the Tirupati MP, Chintha Mohan (Congress) the Government has already set in motion the process to short-list pre-qualified tenderers and the same is expected to be completed by June 6. The Congress MP said the detailed report on the project would be placed before the Union Cabinet in August for its approval.

As to the salient features of the proposed 124.7 km long highway, among other things it would comprise of bypass roads en route at —Renigunta, Vadamaplet, Lakshmipuram, Arkotkuppam, Kanakammachathram Tiruvallur, Tanikulam, Thorur-Sevvapet and Vepampattu. It would also have a road-over-bridge at one place and under-passes at 23 places including vehicular passes at 15 places.
The entire work is expected to be completed in 910 days from the appointed date.
this would help reduce travel time btn Tirupati and Chennai.

Petro hub to fuel 3.5 L cr investment in Andhra Pradesh
source economictimes epaper
A cabinet secretary-chaired panel last week cleared the first mega oil, chemical and petrochemical investment hub, which is expected to attract an investment of Rs 3,43,000 crore. Mittal Energy Investments, Total SA of France and oil refining and marketing major Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) would invest Rs 32,000 crore in the proposed petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR) which the Andhra Pradesh government has proposed in the Vishakhapatnam-East Godavari region...

The Rs 32,000-crore investments by the HPCL-Mittal Energy-Total SA consortium will be the anchor tenant in the investment region, with numerous manufacturing units in the pharmaceutical, chemical, petrochemical and other specialised downstream industries coming up around it. The consortium will set up a 15 million metric tonne a year (mmtpa) refiningcum-petrochemical complex at the Andhra Pradesh SEZ within the region. Besides this, HPCL is expected invest another Rs 10,000 crore to double its existing 7.5 mmtpa refining capacity in the region. Public sector refining major Oil & Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) would invest Rs 31,000 crore to set up a refinery and polypropylene unit in Kakinada SEZ.

The plan is to develop a number of SEZs, industrial parks, infrastructure projects and free trade and warehousing zones in the Vishakhapatnam-East Godavari region. While the central government is expected to provide financial support of Rs 5,214 crore for building roads, ports and airports, Andhra Pradesh intends to invest Rs 2,132 crore in building infrastructure. The state will also facilitate private sector participation in infrastructure creation at a cost of Rs 10,565 crore...
cool. looks like they areally serious about these plans ...

cool. looks like they areally serious about these plans ...

Yup....grt news for that state and especially that region. They already have some big names in that region and this should strengthen the region more.

Machine to drill country’s longest tunnel arrives

Source (http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/24/stories/2008052452600400.htm)

I'm just worried about the environmental impact of this.....Nallamalla forest is one of the few last bastions of the Tiger in India. It is really worrying....:(

Babji.....wht do you think of this project? Looks like this project escaped the eye of most of us.

Babji.....wht do you think of this project? Looks like this project escaped the eye of most of us.

true. there may be some impact on env, but may be to a minimum extent. since its gonna be a tunnel, there would be some check points for maintenance purposes, where technicians may have to visit occassionally.

but then, this would cater to the long time need of drinking water for the ppl of Nalgonda dist. Nalgonda dist is right on the banks of Krishna, yet they don't have access to its water due to geographical reasons. and they are also facing floride related problems with ground water. that way, this project may be justified. and the Govt and env agencies must find ways and means to safegaurd the env aspects. easier said than done, but may be there has to be some way out ...

Massive realestate project in Vijayawada.

129 towers coming up (43 towers in each block and 3 blocks in total).
Each tower ranging from 12-15 floors (Including the penthouses).
Inaddition, a 14 fl office block and seperate malls and mulitplexes.


StarHills (http://starhills.in/index.aspx)


Do check out the walk-through video in the above site.


http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2732/clipboard02su9.jpg


http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3148/clipboard01xh8.jpg
Jeeeezus! Thats massive!

I'm just worried about the environmental impact of this.....Nallamalla forest is one of the few last bastions of the Tiger in India. It is really worrying....:(

The Tunnel digging runs 20 meters below the earth's surface. They are using latest technology in digging this tunnel. All the efforts where taken by the Project engineers to not to disturb Tiger Habitat.They already got clearance from the Forest department. The real threat to the Tiger Reserve forest is not tunneling, but illegal poaching.
Below is the image of the 1st tunnel boring machine imported from the U.S company Robbins.
http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/2517/2008032453730401wq5.jpg

City airport expansion soon
Vijayawada, May 27: While software professionals and industrialists are concerned over the delay in the execution of Gannavaram airport expansion work, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) is in a hurry to start the work in the last week of June.

The process of tenders will begin on June 5 as the short-listing of eligible companies has already been completed. "So there will be no hurdles in taking up the expansion of the existing runway, besides constructing a new terminal, new bases for night-landing and other facilities," said one of the revenue officials who participated in the recent survey for the acquisition of additional land for expansion.

A decision to expand the runway at the Gannavaram airport up to a total length of 10,500 feet in two phases has been taken. This is as per a master plan designed and approved by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) recently. After a thorough scrutiny, 18 companies got permission for bidding the tenders by AAI, which include PCL, Madhucon from the state and 16 other companies from New Delhi and Bangalore.

The AAI officials decided to expand the runway to 7,500 ft in the first phase and complete the remaining length in the second phase. An early completion of it is expected to meet the long-standing aspirations of local people and industrialists for operation of wide-bodied aircraft from Gannavaram. While the first phase development will be sufficient for landing bigger aircraft like Airbus 321 having 185 seats capacity, the second phase expansion will allow landing of Boeing 747 with 524 seats capacity. The runway will be expanded between the National Highway No. 5 and Eluru canal putting to rest the claims that there is no scope for expansion of the runway at Gannavaram airport.

The central government has sanctioned Rs 80 crore in this year’s budget and released Rs 44 crore for the first phase works. In the recently approved master plan, a provision was given for installing Instrument Landing System (ILS) on a small portion of the runway towards the National Highway. Once the ILS is in place, it will help aircraft with modern and electronic signalling systems to land at the airport even under poor visibility conditions.

The AAI officials decided to get only 506 acres of additional land instead of 650 acres originally proposed. They took the decision after joint studies with officials of the urban development authority and the revenue department. The revised master plan ensures that the airport expansion will not affect human habitations in the vicinity. The farmers and villagers formed a committee to agitate against the land acquisition.
source: DC.

source: Sify. loooks like its official ...
Country's first petrochemical investment region coming up
Tuesday, 27 May , 2008, 17:19
New Delhi: India will soon have its first petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR) operational near Vizag in Andhra Pradesh, Ram Vilas Paswan, minister for chemicals and fertilisers, said here

"PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh is at an advanced stage. It is being looked into by a high-powered committee, and will shortly start development works," said Paswan after unveiling the ministry's achievements in the past four years.

PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh will be spread over an area of 250 sq km and generate over 1.2 million direct and indirect employment with total investment of Rs 3.43 trillion.

Paswan said that other PCPIRs would be developed in Karnataka, Gujarat, West Bengal, Orissa and Tamil Nadu, from where his ministry had received proposals. "The proposals are at an advanced stage," said Paswan, adding that the government would play a proactive role in providing basic connectivity infrastructure but the acquisition of land had to be done by promoters and developers. "The central government will provide rail connectivity, highway network and airports while the state government would provide the basic infrastructure, including power and water supply," he said. "A PCPIR is planned at Dahej in Bharuch district of Gujarat with an estimated investment of Rs 500 billion with around 800,000 direct and indirect employment, while the proposed PCPIR at Mangalore in Karnataka will generate over 600,000 employment," said Paswan.

According to V S Sampath, secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, the PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh was likely to attract investment from ONGC, HPCL, GAIL, Mittal Energy, Total (France), Bharat Petroleum, Continental Carbon, Baker Hughes, and Biocon. "Every PCPIR is going to have export competitiveness, and will generate huge infrastructure facilities. It will be a combination of production projects, public utilities, logistics, environmental protection, residential areas and administrative services," said Paswan...

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/29/stories/2008052951360300.htm
Night landing facility soon at Rajahmundry
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Rs. 3-crore work to install night landing facilities in the World War II airport in Rajahmundry will be ready in a month.

The work includes installing Doppler Very High Frequency Omni Range Navigation (DVOR) in the small airport which is about 8 km. north of Rajahmundry. Sources say the work along with the construction of a new terminal to accommodate 150 passengers (from the present 10 passengers) and expanding the present runway from 5830 feet to 7500 feet, are part of the Rs.23 crore MoU signed by the Andhra Pradesh government with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) in February last year for modernising the airport.

While the construction of the new terminal building is progressing, the runway expansion proposal is stalled by the problem of land acquisition.

The small airport was used by Vayudoot flights between 1985 and 1994 and presently Deccan Aviation is operating an ATR-72 propeller aircraft on the Hyderabad-Rajahmundry-Chennai and back route. Besides, the air strip is extensively used by the helicopters of the ONGC and other government agencies for its offshore oil exploration operations.

Sources add that the air connectivity to Rajahmundry will improve once the runway is expanded as it will be easy for the people in East and West Godavari and Khammam districts to get a flight.
cool.

Machilipatnam-Kallur road to be laid with World Bank funds (http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/29/stories/2008052955370800.htm)



The Rs. 180-crore project will be taken up under APRSP third phase

VIJAYAWADA: The State government proposes to lay a road from Machilipatnam to Kallur in Khammam district with World Bank funds. The 120-km road will cost some Rs. 180 crores and will be taken up under the third phase of the Andhra Pradesh Road Sector Project (APRSP), which will be implemented by the Andhra Pradesh Road Development Corporation (APRDC).

The government hired the services of a consultant who prepared a detailed project report (DPR) for the road.

As the road will pass through Nuzvid, a bypass road at Nuzvid has also been included in the package. Nearly Rs. 1.5 crores is required for laying a road of a length of a km, according to officials of the Road and Buildings (R&B) Department.

The exact details of the DPR and the schedule of works are, however, not known. The process of implementing the APRSP began a year ago, and is now in the final stages.

The government is banking on the APRSP for improvement and better management of various roads.

Increased road safety, initiation of Public-Private Participation (PPP), reduction of vehicle operating costs and up-gradation and improvement of two-lane and four-lane roads are some of the objectives of the roads.

U.S. policy

R&B officials say that the government wants to replicate the ‘long-term maintenance strategy with performance-based/output-based contracts’, which is under implementation in countries like the U.S. As per this, the government will lay a road and hand it over to a private agency for long-term maintenance. The contract is usually awarded for five years. The agency that bags the contract will be responsible for maintenance of the roads laid by the R&B.

Teams sent

The government has recently sent three teams each to the U.S. and Australia for training in construction and maintenance of roads. The teams studied the ‘long-term maintenance strategy’ with performance-based/output-based contracts in the United States.

GMR likely to set up ONGC’s proposed refinery in Kakinada (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/29/stories/2008052951712300.htm)


Investment could exceed original estimate of Rs 31,000 cr

Refinery plans

The project to be implemented by Kakinada Refinery and Petrochemicals in which ONGC has a 46 per cent stake, Kakinada Sea Port – 51 per cent and State Government – 3 per cent.

ONGC seeks Rs 16,000 crore sops from the State Govt to make project viable.


Hyderabad, May 28After UK-based Hinduja Group, Reliance Industries (RIL) and Essar Oil, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) proposed refinery at Kakinada, has found a new suitor in GMR Group.

According to sources in the Chief Minister’s Office, GMR could emerge as the prime contender for setting up the refinery in the port town.

“Though it is not yet finalised, the refinery’s capacity could be around 20 million-tonnes-per-annum (MMTA) as against the original plan of 15 MMTA. The investment could also be much higher than the original estimate of Rs 31,000 crore,” the sources said. The project to be implemented by Kakinada Refinery and Petrochemicals, where ONGC has a 46 per cent stake, Kakinada Sea Port 51 per cent and the rest of the three per cent with the State Government.

ONGC had in the past maintained that the refinery was not financially feasible unless the Andhra Pradesh Government gave more incentives.

It had sought incentives worth Rs 16,000 crore from the State Government over eight years to make the refinery financially viable.
Tax exemption

The company wanted exemption from sales tax on the sale of petroleum and petrochemical products, free power and water supply during the construction phase, and road and rail connectivity.

Earlier this month representatives from RIL, Hindujas and Essar Oil had discussions with State Government officials for a stake in the Kakinada refinery for the refinery which is being proposed in a special economic zone (SEZ) being developed by ONGC in Kakinada. It is also learnt that GMR officials had 2-3 rounds of discussion with authorities in the State Government.

“The State Government is keen that the project takes off quickly as it will also help in the proposed petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR),” the official said.

Originally, a 7.5-million-tonne refinery was envisaged at Kakinada.

But Engineers India Ltd did not find the size techno-economically feasible and so the capacity was doubled.

The estimated cost of setting up the 15 million-tonne refinery with high complexity configuration was at Rs 25,000 crore.

Besides, Rs 600 crore was needed to build a single-point mooring and the sub-sea pipeline for transportation of crude oil to the project site.

AP looks to develop border districts to attract industries (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/05/28/stories/2008052850612100.htm)



Hyderabad,The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) is developing border districts of the State to seize the opportunities thrown up by the non-availability of land in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

APIIC is looking at developing industrial zones in these areas as it could attract more industries to set up operations, a Government official told Business Line.

He added that Andhra Pradesh lost a lot of opportunities in the past to the two neighbours as there was no proper infrastructure developed in these areas.

For example, the APIIC is planning to develop Hindupur in Ananthapur district which is close to Bellary in Karnataka.

Similarly, it is also looking at developing Satyavedu in Chittoor District and Tada in Nellore District which are close to the Tamil Nadu border.

“Despite political reasons, development of industrial estates was far ahead in the neighbouring States and due to this they attracted a lot of industries. The Industries Department authorities also feel that we could not compete with them earlier as we lacked basic and good infrastructure,” he said.

The official also said that the top brass of APIIC has already issued orders to the zonal managers to this effect.

“For instance in Tamil Nadu, Sriperumbudur and Gummidipundi districts have no land available for potential investors and in the same way in Hosur and Doddaballapur districts of Karnataka land has already been allotted and no further space is available for future allotment.

“The industries coming in will also provide employment to the residents of the area which in turn will help in the economic development of those districts,” he said.

AP intends to join inter-State industrial corridor (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/05/15/stories/2008051552532100.htm)



Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh intends to be part of the proposed Chennai-Bangalore-Mumbai industrial corridor. A concept meeting of the concerned State Government departments is scheduled to take place on Thursday on the issue.

According to official sources, the State Government would formally write a letter of intent to the Central Government for considering its request to join the proposed industrial corridor.

Initially, the State Government is proposing development of the 150-km stretch from Satyavedu near Nellore to Chennai and also development of the Nellore to Bangalore region covering Rajampet, Kadapa, Ananthapur and Hindupur.

“There is already a lot of development happening between Satyavedu and Chennai and the Bangalore-Ananthapur region is a hot zone for investments. Now the State Government is looking at developing the region from Nellore to Ananthapur inter-land through Kadapa so that it can become a quadrilateral industrial corridor covering the three States,” an official told Business Line here on Wednesday.
Infra focus

The State Government, on its part, is looking at the development of trunk infrastructure, which would include good road connectivity, strengthening the railway network, and inter-land development in the proposed route.

“If the proposal is accepted, then the whole Rayalseema area in the State, expect Kurnool district, will benefit by this industrial corridor. It is, however, too early to predict the investment required for the development or the amount of employment that it can generate in the region as we are in the concept stage of the proposal,” the official said.
During conception

The Central Government has already given in-principle approval for the Chennai-Bangalore-Mumbai industrial corridor on the same lines as the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor.

“The Central Government, after approving the Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor, asked the Southern States for their proposals for a similar corridor. Originally, the Tamil Nadu Government had proposed the region between Chennai and Bangalore. But since this area would leave out a major region in Karnataka, it was later extended to Mumbai,” the official said.

He added that the original idea of Vellore to Bangalore region which would have included around 100 km in Andhra Pradesh was now being modified and would instead take the Hosur route, which will not touch the State.

DC
Mega plan for industrial corridor
Kakinada, May 19: The government plans to spent Rs 20,000 crore to develop ‘linkages’ for the industrial corridor between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam. These include roads, railways, airports, ports and other external infrastructure.

The proposal has got the nod of the Centre a few days ago. Under this project, a 138 km-long coastal corridor will be built between Kakinada Port and Gangavaram Port (near Vizag) with six-lane roads and pipeline corridor at a cost of Rs 1,062 crore. In the subsequent phases the link road will be converted into an eight-lane road by spending Rs 875 crore.

As part of the programme, the present Asian Development Bank-sponsored road will be converted as a four-lane road between Kathipudi and Kakinada Port in an extent of 51.07 km. In addition to this, the National Highway 214 will be developed into four-lane road from the present two-lane at a cost of Rs 260 crore. Later, it will be developed into a six-lane road at a cost of Rs 387 crore.As part of the industrial corridor development, the existing NH 5 will be developed into six-lane road for 190 km between Rajahmundry and Visakhapatnam.

In addition to this, the other external road links will be provided with Rs 512 crore. In all, Rs 4,021 crore will be spent on the road development activity as part of Industrial corridor project. For the development of rail links Rs 1,010 crore will be spend in the corridor. A rail link of 26 km will be taken up at a cost of Rs 102 crore between APSEZ and Gangavaram. For the provision of rail freight stations and for Gangavaram Port logistics Rs 730 crore will be utilised.

Further, authorities are allocating Rs 2,640 crore for developing airports in the region. This would include the development of the new Visakhapatnam International Airport with Rs 2,000 crore and the upgradation of Rajahmundry airport at Rs 120 crore. These proposals were discussed at a meet held recently by the Infrastructure Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh with allied departments.
source: Sify. loooks like its official ...
Country's first petrochemical investment region coming up
Tuesday, 27 May , 2008, 17:19
New Delhi: ... "PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh is at an advanced stage. It is being looked into by a high-powered committee, and will shortly start development works," said Paswan after unveiling the ministry's achievements in the past four years.

PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh will be spread over an area of 250 sq km and generate over 1.2 million direct and indirect employment with total investment of Rs 3.43 trillion... the government would play a proactive role in providing basic connectivity infrastructure but the acquisition of land had to be done by promoters and developers. "The central government will provide rail connectivity, highway network and airports while the state government would provide the basic infrastructure, including power and water supply," he said....

According to V S Sampath, secretary, Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, the PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh was likely to attract investment from ONGC, HPCL, GAIL, Mittal Energy, Total (France), Bharat Petroleum, Continental Carbon, Baker Hughes, and Biocon. "Every PCPIR is going to have export competitiveness, and will generate huge infrastructure facilities. It will be a combination of production projects, public utilities, logistics, environmental protection, residential areas and administrative services," said Paswan...

GMR likely to set up ONGC’s proposed refinery in Kakinada (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/29/stories/2008052951712300.htm)
URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/30/stories/2008053052382300.htm
AP Coastal Corridor project gets in-principle nod from Centre
Hyderabad, May 29 The Union Government has agreed to support the Coastal Corridor project covering the districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East Godavari District in the State.

“Officials from the Union Government were keen to know about the proposed Coastal Corridor such as the basic infrastructure, industries that are likely to come up in the region and connectivity issues and after our presentation, they gave an in-principle approval to the project,” Mr B Sam Bob, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh, told Business Line. According to him, the Government will now look to develop a four or six-lane road parallel to the existing National Highway to support the port-based industries.

According to the initial plan, the Andhra Pradesh Government is looking at developing the 30-km road from Visakhapatnam to Gangavaram Port.

“The total distance that has been identified is 138 km, but we have been asked implement it in a phased manner. So, that is why, in the first phase, we are looking at completing the road from Visakhapatnam to Gangavaram port in the next two years,” Mr Bob said.

The total cost of the project, though not yet finalised, is estimated to be around Rs 5,500 crore and in the first phase, around Rs 1,100 crore has to be invested.
yet another landmark project in the making.
lets hope GMR would repeat their success story at ONGC Kakinada!

Emaar MGF plans $1.4 bn township
31 May, 2008, 0006 hrs IST, TNN

HYDERABAD: Emaar MGF plans to invest $1.4 billion (Rs 5,610 crore) in a leisure and residential township in Hyderabad. The project is a part of the Emaar MGF’s proposed $3 billion investment lined up to create 31 million square feet in ten locations in south India.

The Hyderabad leisure and residential township will have a golf course, luxury residences, large format retail facility, luxury and boutique hotels and an IT park. The project will be constructed by Multiplex Construction India, a joint venture company between Emaar MGF and Multiplex.

The project, which will be developed in partnership with Andhra Pradesh Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), is located in 531 acres near Hyderabad’s IT and financial corridor district near Gachibowli.

Harradine Golf, a north India-based golf course development company, will develop a golf course in 192 acres in the project. Emaar MGF is a JV between the Dubai-based real estate company Emaar Properties and MGF, another real estate company based out of India.
Emaar Mgf & Boulder Hills Launched a New Luxury Project in Hyderabad

... EmaarMGF Excelsior is one of the most ambitious projects by Emaar (Biggest builder of Gulf) and MGF (One of the top builders in India). This project is based in Boulder Hills and in very close vicinity of Microsoft and Infosys office buildings there. The next door neighbor for the residents of this project is Boulder Hills County and golf club

The current phase is the release of two towers i.e. tower B and Tower C and further towers with the total number of units to be around 700. At a rate of Rs 5500 for a 2122 Sq feet unit and Rs 7964 for a podium or duplex and 8310 for a Penthouse, this is one of the leading projects in and around the high Tech city of Hyderabad. Most of the apartments are having a Golf course view. With 12 floors in the apartment building, there is plenty of options for early birds.

Apartment lifestyle with the Boulder Hills Golf and Country Club are the epitome of distinctive living...

http://www.rajdhanirealtors.in/details.cfm?inf=29&details=29

EmaarMGF to invest Rs 12,000 cr in South
BS Reporter / Hyderabad May 31, 2008, 4:52 IST
EmaarMGF Land, a joint venture between Emaar Properties PJSC of Dubai and MGF Developments of India, is planning to invest $3 billion (Rs 12,000 crore) in 10 locations across south India over the next few years.

The venture will develop residential, commercial, retail, IT, SEZs and hospitality facilities across 31 million square feet (sft) land in Chennai, Coimbatore, Mysore, Mangalore and Kochi. The company has a nationwide land bank of 13,000 acres, including 1,500 acres in south India, EmaarMGF chief executive officer, William R Rattazzi, told the media at the launch of $1.4 billion (Rs 5,600 crore) ‘Boulder Hills Golf & Country Club' leisure and residential community project in Hyderabad.

The company is planning an initial public offering (IPO) after withdrawing its plans in February. "This (IPO) should take place in 12-18 months depending on market conditions. The size and price of the issue would depend upon market conditions prevailing at that time," Rattazzi said.

Boulder Hills, developed in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, is spread over 531 acres in Hyderabad's information technology and financial corridor of Gachibowli. It has a fully operational 192-acre championship golf course designed by Harradine Golf, the witzerland-based company that designed over 200 golf course projects in Europe, Africa and Asia. The first phase of Boulder Hills comprises 703 residential units with a mix of single and multi-family units. It will be home to a special economic zone with a built-up area of 3 million sft and ‘The Mall of Hyderabad' spread over 13 acres. The mall is expected to be completed by 2010.

In the residential space, according to Rattazzi, EmaarMGF will develop luxury and super luxury gated communities and townships over 20.5 million sft. In the retail arena, the company will develop 3 million sft top-tier retail space across its southern locations. The company will introduce the ‘Mall of the City' series wherever it goes.

EmaarMGF also has plans to introduce luxury and boutique properties at Andhra Pradesh in association with Four Seasons and Marriot International. The company is planning to have 30,000 rooms in the hospitality sector over the next five years.
Boulder Hills - another land mark project for Hyd.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/31/stories/2008053153000400.htm
State nets Rs. 26,000 crore from IT exports
50,000 new jobs created in the IT sector
State’s share in country’s IT exports is 15 p.c.
HYDERABAD: Continuing its upsurge, the State retained fourth position in the country in terms of software exports after Bangalore, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in that order.

The exports from Andhra Pradesh in 2007-08 grew by 41 per cent and reached Rs. 26,122 crore compared to the previous year’s Rs. 18,582 crore, in spite of US recession and rupee appreciation. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Director of Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) E. Manoj Kumar said 50,000 new jobs were created with the establishment of 176 new IT units (40 of them were foreign companies) and expansion of 155 existing companies. State’s share in the country’s IT exports worked out to 15 per cent. Mr. Kumar said that dependency on US markets came down from 68 per cent to 61 per cent, while the exports to Europe and other countries went up. The IT exports by five companies were worth more than Rs. 1,000 crore each, an equal number of companies were exporting between Rs. 500 crore and Rs. 1,000 crore each. IT services contributed half the exports, while IT-enabled services accounted for 26 per cent and the rest were enterprise applications.

Promising : Mr. Kumar said that tier-II cities showed a promising performance. Visakhapatnam with 80 IT units posted Rs. 382 crore of exports, followed by Vijayawada with 32 companies and Rs. 52 crore worth of exports. Kakinada was more promising, while the IT department was betting big on Tirupati. National Internet exchange would be set up in Hyderabad, apart from a modern incubation centre. Principal Secretary, IT, Shailendra Kumar Joshi said 15 companies were awaiting allotment of land by the Government, as they did not want to go to tier-II cities.
not bad ...

Vodarevu and Nizampatnam port infrastructure corridor (Vanpic)
Ongole ... The Vodarevu and Nizampatnam port infrastructure corridor (Vanpic) project in Prakasam district which will be set up at Rs 16,000 crore. A special collector had been appointed for acquiring 9,314 acres for the Vanpic project. But Communist leaders warned that they would never accept the project...

The ancient Motupalli natural port, which has been in service from the ancient Chola era, will be modernised under the project. Historical records reveal that Motupalli is an ancient seaport, which flourished under the Kakatiyas, Reddy and Vijayanagara kings. Archaeological excavations at this place in the early 1970s revealed the existence of ring walls. A number of artifacts recovered from this place include Chinese and Chola coins, and a famous bronze statue of Nataraja. The port was extensively used during the regime of King Gajapatideva of the Vijayanagara kingdom during 1244-45, but lost its prominence during the British regime.

The Vanpic project will be carried under private-government partnerships and the state government is to invest in the project, said the district collector, Mr K. Devanand. The government had already entered into an agreement with Rass-al-Khaima and Matrix companies which are taking up the project, he added.

Motupalli port will be connected through a direct road with Biramgunta where an airport is going to be set up, he added. The port will bring 10 lakh job opportunities to Prakasam district, he said. They will justify the evacuation of people who need not worry about compensation as Matrix would pay spot compensation, he added, The collector said that they would provide employment to fishermen in various parts of the district.
source: DC

^^wow!!That's really cool every district is getting special attention.which is a good sign for overall development

Land acquisition for Shipyard Cum Port under way
http://www.siasat.com/english/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=272188&Itemid=63&cattitle=Andhra%20Pradesh
Ongole, June 02: The district administration has geared up to acquire 9,000 acres of land for the proposed port and shipyard between Vodarevu and Motupalli in Prakasam district in the next four months.

Officials are acquiring the land in four villages – Motupalli, Chinaganjam, Nayanipalli and Pullaripalem – in Chinaganjam and Vetapalem mandals in the district.

While 50 per cent of the extent is assigned land, forest land constitutes 1,500 acres. So, the officials’ task has been cut out to acquire private land of only 3,000 acres.

Special Collector (Land Acquisition) Penchala Reddy told The Hindu that they were planning to acquire the land through consent award to expedite the task and avoid legal problems.

He said one Special Deputy Collector was appointed in each village to acquire the land in the given time.

The Special Deputy Collectors involved in the land acquisition for Veligonda project were diverted to this job. They would complete the task in four months and get back to their work on the Veligonda project, he said.
Alternative land

They proposed to provide alternative land in Markapur division to the Forest Department to compensate the land lost to the Vodarevu port.

An office was opened at Chirala to monitor the land acquisition process.

The Vodarevu and Nizampatnam Industrial Corridor (VANPIC) project is aimed at changing the fortunes of the district by giving a boost to industrial and commercial activity, providing employment to several youth directly or indirectly.
Vizag port

Surprisingly, the mega project is shrouded in mystery. It is stated that as the Central Government requires Visakhapatam port exclusively for Defence purposes, it has asked the port and shipyard authorities to search for alternative place for their commercial activities.

After examining the coast, they finally chose to locate the port between Vodarevu and Nizampatnam.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been signed with Rasool Al Khima of the United Arab Emirates to construct the port between Vodarevu and Motupalli.

Matrix Company was authorised to acquire the land by making payments on the spot to farmers and fishermen losing their land and take steps for their rehabilitation.

Shipyard authorities too entered into an understanding with the State government, which agreed to provide land as its equity.

A mega power project has been included as part of infrastructure development at the location.
-------------------------------

DC
Plans for ports lined up
Hyderabad, June 4: The state government has lined up several projects, including ports and airports, that would be inaugurated this year. The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, has personally set deadlines for the inauguration of the Krishnapatnam port, laying the foundation of Vodarevu, Gangavaram port, Warangal airport, Kakinada SEZ and refinery and Meghavaram Visakhapatnam International Airport later this year.

Dr Reddy discussed the status of the projects with officials and asked them to complete the projects on time. He also warned them not to give excuses. INCAP (Infrastructure Corporation of Andhra Pradesh), too, came under scrutiny along with the privatised Kakinada deep water port, Gangavaram, Krishnapatnam, Machilipatnam, Vodarevu, Nizampatnam, Meghavaram (captive) and Kakinada SEZ (captive) ports. The Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam ports are due for operations. Dr Reddy was upset over the rehabilitation issues and the inordinate delay in settling them. He asked the minister for infrastructure and investment, Mr Venkat Ramana, to sort out the bottlenecks.