Availability of huge parcels of land is no more a constraint for the multi-crore Krishnapatnam Coastal Employment Zone (KCEZ) near here as the local industry has come forward positively to return nearly 16,000 acres to the government for making the mega national level project a reality in the Nellore district.
In accordance with the guidelines of the NITI Aayog, the district officials have indicated to the national body the clear possibility of acquiring nearly 26,800 acres for the CEZ. Of this, nearly 10,000 acres was already available with the Andhra Pradesh Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) while most of the remaining land was found to have been handed over to various companies for setting up industries.
In the recent survey conducted by the officials, it was found that the companies had not set up factories in over 16,000 acres though the land was handed over to them long back for industrial development and employment generation.
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“We have held discussions with the companies concerned. It is possible to resume these 16,000 acres for the CEZ here. A report to this effect has been sent to the State government and NITI Aayog,” said district Collector R. Mutyala Raju.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Raju said the KCEZ would be a prestigious project as it was the second such project being considered at the national level after the one in the Kandla port surroundings in Gujarat. As there would be no hurdles with regard to the land, the NITI Aayog would go for a feasibility study soon.
Once sanctioned, the KCEZ would attract flow of funds to the tune of ₹3,000 crore from the Centre towards developing world class industrial infrastructure to attract mega industries that would each have potential to create 5,000 to 10,000 jobs eventually.
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Another advantage for the Krishnapatnam zone is its strategic location on the Chennai-Vishakhapatnam Industrial Corridor.