AP Chambers seeks grants for key infra projects in Budget

Vijayawada: The AP Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation (AP Chambers), is expecting a slew of grants for mega infrastructure projects from the Union Budget. These projects include the rebuilding of the capital at Amaravati, and the development of the Visakhapatnam-Chennai, Bengaluru-Chennai, and Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridors, aimed at accelerating development across Andhra Pradesh.

The chambers said Amaravati and the Polavaram project should be on top of the agenda. As an industry body, the chambers expects the rapid development of VCIC, BCIC, HBIC industrial corridors passing through AP with their respective nodes, the East Coast Dedicated Railway Freight Corridor, fulfilment of the commitments under the AP Reorganisation Act such as operationalising the South Coast Railway Zone, Dugarajapatnam port, Kadapa Steel Plant, development of Visakhapatnam-Kakinada PCPIR region and adequate budgetary allocations for immediate completion of all the premium central institutions sanctioned to the State that are in various phases of development.

AP Chambers has sought the sanction of a Bulk Drug Park for Uttara Andhra, a Medtech Zone for Coastal Andhra and a mega Integrated Textile Park for Prakasam district, which it said will propel industrialisation of the State. AP Chambers also requested the Union Government to fast-track the development of National Waterways-4, which will be economical, environment-friendly and faster than other modes of transport. The chambers expect the Union Government to increase FRBM limits for Andhra Pradesh and give incentives to the backward districts of AP so that the State can progress economically.