Andhra Pradesh

YSR for expediting land acquisition for ports

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has directed the officials concerned to expedite land acquisition for the development of Vodarevu and Nizampatnam Ports and Industrial Corridor.

Dr. Reddy who reviewed the progress of the project with senior officials and Ministers on Sunday expressed concern that the two districts -- Prakasam and Guntur -- were lagging behind in development while other coastal districts like Visakhapatnam and Nellore made significant strides with setting up of industrial corridors. There was a need to develop these two districts and the project should come up at the earliest so that economic activity would accelerate and employment opportunities were created.

The project, being developed by the Government of Ras Al Khaimah and their Indian partner Matrix Enport Holdings Pvt Limited, covers Vetapalem and Chinnaganjam mandals of Prakasam district and Bapatla, P.V. Palem and Karlapalem mandals of Guntur district. While Vodarevu cluster would house textile and apparel park and automobile & auto component park, Nizampatnam cluster would include pharma park and agro marine industries.

The ports for the clusters, comprising power plants and other facilities would be developed on 2,000 acres each excluding the hinterland for which actual requirement was being finalised. Dr. Reddy wanted the developers to provide required training for local youth at the industrial training centre being set up and provide latest high speed fishing equipment to local fishermen.

He wanted the promoters to be liberal in payment of compensation to those selling their land. Matrix Enport Holdings assured that the company would earmark a portion of its profits for providing health and education facilities to the local people while social welfare activities would also be taken up.

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