World's fourth largest bus maker Ashok Leyland began construction of its bus making plant in Mallavalli Model Industrial Park, 40 kilometres from Vijayawada. The flagship company of the Hinduja Group will produce it's first bus in coming six months according to the company.
The foundation stone for the facility has been laid by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Interacting with the media on the occasion, Ashok Leyland Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Vinod K Dasari said the company will develop its facility in a 75 acre plot in the first phase.
“We are currently investing about ₹ 170 crore on the facility to make 4,800 buses annually in the first phase. The first bus will roll out in six months and the plant will reach its full capacity in a year,” Mr Dasari said.
The capacity will be doubled in the second phase in another 75 acres beside the plant according to him.
Once completed, the Mallavelli plant will be the third bus making plant of Ashok Leyland after it's facilities in Alwar (Rajasthan) and Trichy (Tamil Nadu).
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Naidu said, “Ashok Leyland will be followed by about 700 industrial units with investment. I congratulate Mr Dasari, the son of the soil from Krishna district for the swift execution.”
The Andhra Pradesh government apparently was very cooperative in facilitating the plant in record time. From initial approach, registration to grounding of the plant could be made possible in just four months according to company.
On the operational front, the plant will have a facility to make all kinds of buses, electric vehicles besides having pilot assembly line and prototype development.
Other than bus making, the facility will house a state of the art learning and skill development centre. The company will recruit over 5000 people for the facility.
