PM Modi likely to lay foundation stone for Kris City in AP on Sept 6

Vijayawada: The ambitious Krishnapatnam Industrial City (Kris City) project envisaged in the vicinity of Krishnapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh is set to start soon with Prime Minister Narendra Modi likely to lay the foundation stone on September 6.

The State government machinery has been alerted about the likelihood of the Prime Minister’s visit by the Centre. The date is yet to be confirmed, sources told Bizz Buzz. As many as 10 industrial nodes are proposed in Andhra Pradesh as three of the 11 industrial corridors will pass through 15 districts namely Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC), Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC). Krishnapatnam node is one among select few high impact nodes. CBIC will have another node between Punganur-Palamner.

NICDIT Krishnapatnam Industrial City Development Limited has been mandated to create a world-class smart city in the Kris City project with the objective of making it the main driver of economic development and employment by augmenting existing social and commercial infrastructure.

The project is proposed to be developed in around 16,500 acres by earmarking 6,000 acres for the first phase. Two industrial nodes will be developed in the area under the VCIC and CBIC.

The Nellore node in an area of 12,944 acres will become an industrial hub for resource-driven industries, a senior official said.

Kris City will be located around 40 km from Nellore city and 10 km from Krishnapatnam Port owned by the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ). It is strategically located as the Chennai International Airport is about 180 km from the proposed node. It will have ready-built infrastructure for investment in food processing, textile and apparels, auto and auto components, electronics and others including building and materials.

According to the project report, once completed, it will create 5.15 lakh direct and indirect jobs, accommodate a residential population of 3.12 lakh across 99,400 households, and provide 1.26 lakh resident jobs.

Kris City mooted in a cluster-based approach is expected to strengthen site connectivity, resilience to flooding events, livability, aligning with the development in the neighbourhood, flexibility in industrial plot allotment, operational efficiency and phasing that ensures financial viability.

The project aims to attract investments in food products, textile and apparels, other industries including non-metallic mineral products. Cluster 2 will have auto and auto components. Cluster 3 is dedicated to electronics and communication equipment.