Infra development our top priority: Mekapati

Vijayawada: ANDHRA Pradesh Government led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is laying emphasis on augmenting existing infrastructure, Industries Minister Mekapati Goutham Reddy has said.

On the infrastructure front, greenfield ports, fishing harbours, YSR Steel Corporation Limited, AP Airports Development Corporation, corridor development and concept cities are the mainstay and in industries and commerce, policies, Re-Start, Business Reform Action Plan, handlooms and allied field development work would be taken up, he said. The focus was on the construction of Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu and Machilipatnam ports along with the construction of four fishing harbours which began in July and establishment of four more harbours are in the process. Stating that building infrastructure is the top priority, he said Kurnool airport is already in operation and steps are being taken to complete the construction of Bhogapuram international airport near Visakhapatnam as soon as possible.

The Minister said after the government was formed, between June 2019-May 2021, as many as 65 mega and large industries were set up in the State with an investment of Rs 29,780.86 crore by creating employment to 45,049 people. Similarly, in the MSME front, 13,885 units were set up with an investment of Rs 4220.71 crore with an employment of 88,516. Also, there are 62 projects under implementation with a total investment of Rs 36,384.29 crore with a potential to create jobs to 76,916 people and five public sector units with an investment of Rs 96,400 crore with a potential to create employment to 79,700 people.