Godavari region to emerge as A.P.’s economic powerhouse: Minister

KAKINADA

The Godavari region is set to become Andhra Pradesh’s primary economic powerhouse, attracting an investment proposals of ₹92,000 crore since June 2024, across 39 projects in various sectors such as maritime trade, shipbuilding, green energy, aqua and food processing, said Minister for Commerce, Industries and Food Processing T.G. Bharat.

Speaking at the Regional Conference of the 31st CII Partnership Summit in Kakinada on Monday, Mr. Bharat said, “These 36 projects will generate as many as 32,000 jobs, with 18 initiatives already commissioned and 11 more approved.”

He also said that the food processing unit will go through a major transformation due to the incentives the government is offering to investors. “An investment policy 2024-29 has been designed to offer a whopping 35% capital subsidy, with power tariff and reimbursement on State GST for those keen to invest in the food processing sector in Andhra Pradesh, which accounts for a 15% share in the food processing sector in the country,” the Minister said, pointing out that instead of “ease of doing business”, the investors should focus on “speed of business” to complete the projects within the deadline.

Road network

Minister for Roads, Buildings, Infrastructure and Investment, B.C. Janardhan Reddy has said that Kakinada Gateway Port, Kona, would be commissioned by early 2028, with an annual handling capacity of 16 million tonnes on the Kakinada coast.

In Andhra Pradesh, 1,900-kilometre-long roads are being laid with an outlay of ₹38,815 crore and 51 new roads are yet to be approved to improve road connectivity, he added. He also hinted at proposals to construct six more fishing harbours in the State.

Minister for Tourism and Culture Kandula Durgesh said the State government is ready to allot land for proposed tourism projects and star hotels, and that other departments would also alienate land for these projects.

“The Tourism Policy 2024-19 accorded industry status to the tourism sector, attracting huge investments across the State. The coastal belt of the State holds the potential for wellness centres and yoga centres”, said Mr. Durgesh.