Andhra Pradesh government came out with an exclusive Industrial Water Allotment Policy for speedy and sustainable industrial development in the State.
As per the new policy, allocation of water will be made by the District Industries Promotion Committee (DIPC) headed by ollector and State Investment Promotion Committee (SIPC) within seven days from the date of filing the application as long as it is within 10 per cent water quota reserved for industrial use. The allocation will be made by DIPC and SIPC for projects cleared at district and State levels.
A government order detailing the new policy was issued on Saturday. Based on the approval, the Irrigation Department will release water promptly. However, in the event of any drought when the overall availability of water in a particular reservoir/ project is low, then prorate release of water will be done to the industrial sector by irrigation authorities.
In general, the policy permits industries to utilise existing government reservoirs for storage of surplus water for industrial use. In the absence of reservoirs, Government land will be provided wherever possible to construct balancing reservoirs for storage of surplus water if a group of industries come together to undertake construction of such a reservoir at their own cost.
Government will promote desalination plants in coastal areas to meet the increasing water demand of various industrial nodes planned in Vizag Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC) and Bangalore Chennai Industrial Corridor (BCIC).
Industries which draw treated sewage water for industrial purposes will be provided infrastructure assistance on a priority basis. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department will prepare a comprehensive plan for recycling of sewage water for non-potable industrial use.
