Vijayawada becomes the happening city

• Industrial majors set their eyes on the city
• Major auto units already set up distribution centres
• Many apply for manufacturing facilities
• Gudavalli set to be automobile hub
• C & F agencies look out for godowns
• Pharmaceutical firms too on look-out for sites

Vijayawada: With the new government set to be formed on June 8, several industrial majors have set their eyes on Vijayawada for the new ventures in the State. The two Commercial Taxes offices in the city are abuzz with the flood of applications for registration.

The automobile companies are on the lookout for the suitable lands between Nidamanuru and Gudavalli on both sides of the National Highway. The automobile industry has set up several units in this area and have close connectivity with the Asia’s biggest Autonagar in the city. The extended autonagar at Kanuru too is seen as a potential place for the automobile companies. The companies like Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Maruthi, Renault and other such majors have already established their distribution centres in this area, particularly from the Benz Center in the heart of the city to the Gudavalli on the National Highway. These companies have forwarded their applications to the commercial taxes offices to open their manufacturing units here. Besides the commercial, the companies have also proposed to open manufacturing units of vehicles.

The demand for opening C and F (Carrying and Forwarding) agencies is also on the rise in the city. These companies are concentrating on Gollapudi and Bhavanipuram areas towards Hyderabad. The market yard and iron yard in this area has a good number of godowns and the C and F companies have set their eyes on this area, which is convenient for them to move from Hyderabad.

The areas like Prasadampadu, Enikepadu and Nidamanuru have a good number of pharmaceutical companies. The areas are now attracting more pharmaceutical companies, which have their manufacturing units mostly around Hyderabad city in Rangareddy district. These companies have already filed their applications with the commercial taxes offices in the city seeking permission to establish their units here.

Some of the companies have also sought the help of the District Industries Center (DIC) in the city in finding suitable lands in the areas. However, sources said that the DIC had advised them to look out for lands between Gannavaram and Agiripalli area, where the dry land is available at lower prices comparatively.

The Commercial Taxes offices in the city are making annual revenue of Rs 1175 crore is now expecting anything around Rs 2,000 crore to Rs 2,500 crore this year. “A good number of corporate companies, particularly those from the automobile and pharmaceutical industries have sent applications for registration with offices in the city. These companies now want to have their manufacturing units here. This would bring us more revenue,” asserted a senior officer from the commercial taxes office at Gunadala, in the city.