Proposed SEZ raises hopes among unemployed

Staff Reporter

YSR to lay stone for apparel park in Hindupur

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8,000 persons to be employed when unit becomes operational
Penna Ahobilam reservoir to provide water for industries
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ANANTAPUR: The recent announcement of the State Government to develop
two Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Hindupur constituency in the
district has come as a boost to the sagging industrial growth in the
district. It has also raised hopes among the unemployed youth of getting
a handful of opportunities to overcome livelihood problems.

In what could be a first step towards development of SEZs in the
district, Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is visiting Hindupur on
January 16 to lay foundation stone for a garment factory Indus Filla at
Sadlapalli near the town. The apparel park is expected to provide
employment to about 8,000 persons, when the unit becomes operational 100
per cent.

Attracting industries

According to Minister for Agriculture and Civil Supplies N. Raghuveera
Reddy, the town was closer to the international airport on the outskirts
of Bangalore geographically and creation of required infrastructure
would definitely bring industries here.

The State Government was planning to provide water required to the
industries and scarcity villages with the help of water pipeline project
from Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir in the district with an
estimated cost of Rs. 130 crores. Besides, the Government was also
trying to improve power infrastructure in the SEZ as the Chief Minister
would lay foundation stone for a 132/33 KV sub-station at Thumukunta
with an estimated cost of Rs. 8 crores. The industrial area was also
likely to be benefited with the Madakasira Branch Canal of the
Handri-Neeva project to be taken up with Rs. 700 crores. The Chief
Minister would lay foundation stone on for the canal on January 16 and
it was designed to fill tanks in Penukonda (partly), Hindupur and
Madakasira constituencies.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/15/stories/2007011507760300.htm