Delhi, 17 June (H.S.): Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal, chaired a review meeting on June 15 at the Tobacco Board, Guntur, focusing on the progress of NICDC-led industrial nodes in Andhra Pradesh within various industrial corridors. The discussion centered on the Krishnapatnam Industrial Area (CBIC), Orvakal Industrial Area (HBIC), and Kopparthy Industrial Area (VCIC). Piyush Goyal emphasized the importance of attracting anchor investors and startups by creating innovation-friendly ecosystems, proposing dedicated incubators for early-stage enterprises and a supportive startup environment. He directed officials to designate zones for MSMEs and startups, offering subsidized rates, modern infrastructure, and technological assistance. The Minister advocated for global partnerships and suggested organizing country-specific investment conclaves to draw targeted foreign investments. He also called for a centralized dashboard for real-time project monitoring and the implementation of advanced testing and quality control to ensure high-quality infrastructure.
Reaffirming the Government's commitment to establishing Andhra Pradesh as a hub of industrial excellence, he envisioned the state as “Swarnandhra Pradesh,” representing inclusive and sustainable industrial growth. The meeting was attended by key officials, including local MPs and ministers, underscoring collaborative efforts among various stakeholders in advancing the industrial landscape in the state. The session featured presentations on three NICDC nodes by the Vice Chairman & Managing Director, APIIC, along with an overview of Andhra Pradesh's industrial roadmap under “Swarna Andhra 2047” by the Secretary, Industries.
CEO & MD, NICDC, Rajat Kumar Saini, highlighted the need for expedited land acquisition, timely external infrastructure execution by the State Government, and maintenance of quality standards in project implementation. Andhra Pradesh stands out as India’s emerging industrial powerhouse, hosting industrial nodes within three separate Industrial Corridors, characterized by integrated planning, robust infrastructure, and strong institutional support.
Key projects include:
- Krishnapatnam Node(2,006 acres): Estimated investment of approximately ₹10,500 crore, generating around 100,000 jobs. - Orvakal Node (2,621 acres): Expected investment of ₹12,000 crore, providing jobs for about 45,000 people.
- Kopparthy Node(2,596 acres): Anticipated to attract ₹8,800 crore and create approximately 54,000 jobs.
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), a Government of India initiative under the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, focuses on developing next-generation industrial smart cities to enhance manufacturing, attract investments, generate employment, and bolster India’s global economic standing. NICDC promotes seamless multimodal connectivity and sustainable urbanization through major corridors, including DMIC, AKIC, CBIC, ECEC, and BMIC.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
