Drought-prone district to become industrial hub

Anantapur: The state government is focusing on industrialisation of the district by roping in industrialists for setting up of large, medium and small-scale industries. Tadipatri, Penukonda and Hindupur are emerging as industrial zones and have set the tone for industrialisation of the district.

Tadipatri was the first to evolve as an industrial zone with already three cement companies, Birla Cement, Ultratech Cement and Penna Cement are dotting the tiny industrial town. Tadipatri is known for its granite industries and a medium steel plant popularly known as Gerdau Steel Plant.

Penukonda is now the new industrial zone with the advent of Kia Motors and the hundreds of ancillary industries which are in the pipeline. Within one-year, Penukonda would experience industrial boom once Kia is launched in January.

Many Korean companies have set its eyes on Penukonda and the tiny historical town is all poised for speedy industrialisation. Penukonda will soon transform into a Korean city with several Korean establishments and hotels already making a bee line.

Hindupur is emerging as a large industrial zone with several electronic industries making a beeline. It has close proximity to international airport in Bengaluru and so is being marketed as a cost-effective industrial zone as plenty of land is available at an affordable cost.

Many industrialists, who could not secure land for setting up of industries in Bengaluru, are looking at Hindupur in view of the multiple benefits of affordable land prices and cheap labour availability. MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna is evincing keen interest in speedy industrialisation of Hindupur and inviting many industrial promoters personally.

Recently, 25 MoUs have been signed with the government by industrialists for setting up of large and medium industries in Hindupur and other places in the district. Of the 25 projects, 18 are in the pipeline and are in various stages of implementation.

These projects worth more than Rs 30,000 crore investments. Hindupur is emerging as an electronic hub in view of Bengaluru being the electronics city and in future ancillary industries would be established in close proximity to Bengaluru national highway.

District Industries Centre (DIC) General Manager G Sudershan Babu told The Hans India that he is happy to preside over the industrialisation of the district at such a time as this as many things are in store for what is known as drought district.

He said, nine industrial estates are being operated in the district and 15 more are now in the pipeline. The new estates are likely to trigger in industrial development and generate employment.

So far about 43 major industries had been established with a total capital of Rs 5,314 crore.  As one traverses through Kalyandurg, Uravakonda, Kadiri and Ramagiri regions, one can find giant wind fans dotting the villages.

More than 100 wind power projects had contributed to industrial boom. The five universities in the district are also fine tuning their courses and syllabus to prepare candidates for industry and promote industry-university interface.