The State Government has decided to accord fast-track status to the proposed IT Special Economic Zone at Kapulauppada on the city outskirts.
The tardy progress in developing a layout in an area of 200 acres forced the government to send a senior official to the city to review the progress and expedite the development of layout with internal roads and other facilities.
IT Advisor to the government J. Satyanarayana recently visited the site and interacted with officials concerned to speed up the approvals for the layout. Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority has submitted the drawings.
Sources told The Hindu that of 200 acres, the layout will be developed in half of the area in the first phase. Right now there is no approach road to the site.
“We want development of an approach road immediately after which site should be allotted for power sub-station. Top priority should be accorded to water supply and broadband connectivity to attract many IT players to the area,” Rushikonda IT Park Association vice-president O. Naresh Kumar said.
The site in question was part of 1750 acres allotted Delhi-based Unitech Ltd for development of Visakhapatnam Integrated Knowledge City in 2007. However, after payment of Rs.225 crore a dispute occurred between the government and the allottee. This led to cancellation of the allotment by APIIC. Sources said out of 1750 acres, only 400 to 500 acres was found to be fit for plotting due to hilly terrains. The city at present has two IT SEZs at Rushikonda and one at Gambheeram. IT units have also come up Visakhapatnam SEZ at Duvvada. The government has already accorded permission to Wipro Ltd for developing its leftover space at its city campus as SEZ. Tech Mahindra has been allotted 10 acres at Rushikonda for developing its second campus in the city.
