Donakonda had been in the hot race for location of State capital before losing out to Thulluru in neighbouring Guntur district. But now it is sure to emerge as a major industrial investment destination in Navya Andhra.
Both the Union and State governments have chalked out big plans to promote industrialisation of the large-tracts of unexploited land in Prakasam district located on the Nadikudi-Srikalahasthi spine.
Donakonda, strategic air-base during the British times, has been found suitable for locating the prestigious Peninsular Region Industrial Development Corridor (PRIDe Corridor) project by the Centre. “PRIDe will come up in over 5000 acres in Donakonda,” reveals Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao in a conversation with The Hindu .
This is part of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation’s plan to develop Donakonda into a world-class industrial park attracting big domestic and foreign players by offering 25,000 acre of developed land with 24 x7 power supply and water, he adds while referring to the visit of a team from Chinese conglomerate Dalian Wanda to Donakonda. The Chinese company plans to invest about $ 3 billion USD in the State. A team of the Airports Authority of India had, in principle, found Donakonda suitable for setting up a no-frill airport, he says, adding he had taken up the matter with Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju.The Centre has selected Donakonda for developing it into a model railway station with all amenities. “The region is sure to witness rapid industrial growth once the Nadikudi-Srikalahasti railway line is completed,” says Collector Sujatha Sharma. Land for the Rs. 10,859 crore National Investment and Manufacturing Zone proposed by the Centre had been identified in Pamarru and P.C. Palli mandals and survey completed for handing over the same to APIIC after notification, Kandukur Revenue Division Officer K.Chandrasekhar says. Once NIMZ, manufacturing hub in collaboration with overseas players. becomes a reality it will attract investments to the tune of Rs. 4,37,000 crore, generate jobs for 2.5 lakh people and earn foreign exchange to the tune of Rs. 24,000 crore, according to APIIC officials.
NEDCAP and revenue officials have identified 10,000 acres for setting up a solar power plant in Chandrasekharapuram, the RDO says.
(Reporting by S. Murali)
