Anantapur: Decks cleared for two industries

Anantapur: State government has given clearance to go ahead with the proposed two major industries in the district - the Rs.1,000 crore Veer Vahana Buses project and the Rs.750 crore Defence and Aerospace Electronics Park.

The state government has signed an MoU with Veer Vahana Udyog Private Limited for setting up of electric bus manufacturing unit in Anantapur district.

Similarly, the works relating to AP Aerospace & Defence Electronics Park will also start soon, say district industries officials.

District Collector Gandham Chandrudu has been striving to remove road blocks for industrial development.

Veer Vahan Udyoj would invest Rs 1,000 crore in the first phase on the plant, spread over 120 acres, that would have a production capacity of 3,000 buses per annum. The industry provides indirect employment to about 3,000 persons, it is estimated.

AP Aerospace & Defence Electronics Park (AP-ADE Park) will be set up in 264 acres. In 2017, to protect the interests of Kia Motors, the government had issued a GO No.151, stating that no industries that cause pollution should be constructed within 10 km radius of Kia Motors in Anantapur district.

State Special Chief Secretary for Industries and Commerce Rajat Bhargava issued orders recently, exempting these two industries paving the way to go ahead on the projects.

Kia Motors' unit in Anantapur started operations in 2019 with an estimated investment of about Rs 14,000 crore. Veer Vahan Udyoj will invest Rs 1,000 crore in the first phase.

AP Aerospace & Defence Electronics Park (AP-ADE Park) will be set up in 264 acres in Palasamudram mandal with an estimated cost of about Rs 750 crore.