Note on Justification for Allotment of forest lands at Narava, Visakhapatnam District to APIIC Andhra Pradesh Industrial infrastructure Corporation Ltd (APIIC) is a wholly owned undertaking of Government of Andhra Pradesh, vested with the objective of providing industrial infrastructure through the development of industrial areas, the Corporation has so far developed more than 300 Industrial parks spreading over an extent of about Ac 1,21,655.00(including allotted area).Besides ,the Corporation is also developing sector focused parks like a Apparel park, Food processing parks/leather parks, Special Economic Zones in the State. The Corporation has also constructed 3500 industrial sheds, 4800 dormitory units, 466 commercial shops, with the advent of economic liberalization the Corporation has reoriented itself to the changing needs of economy and assumed the role of facilitator. To its credit the Corporation has developed Hi-Tech City with a private promoter. The Corporation has to its credit the execution of civil works for various Government Departments. It has executed works covering Referral Hospital, Navodaya Schools Polytechnic Buildings Court Complex, Building and Hostel for Indian Institute of Information Technology. Government entrusted the responsibility of constructing Games Stadia and Games Village for the National Games on Project Management basis. The Corporation is the Nodal Agency for Government Sponsored scheme like growth centre, Export Promotion Industrial Parks, Integrated Infrastructure Development centre. In Visakhapatnam district the Corporation is the principle facilitator in Mega Projects like Andhra Pradesh Special Economic Zone, Visakhapatnam Industrial Water Supply, Gangavaram Port, Pharma and Industrial Parks at Parawada. Andhra Pradesh Industrial Development Policy aims to establish state of the art infrastructure, promote manufacturing, enhance inclusivity, foster innovation and create employment opportunities across sectors. Combined Andhra Pradesh was a few years back, the third most favored investment destination (both domestic and foreign) in the country. The bifurcation presents an opportunity for Andhra Pradesh to chart a new course and create a conducive and best in class environment for industries. The State Government of the newly formed state has identified industrial growth as a means to mitigate poverty and unemployment. Industrial development promotes higher capital formation, raises wage incomes and absorbs surplus workforce to bring about equitable development. Industrial growth as a means to mitigate poverty and unemployment. Destination for investors by providing favorable business climate, excellent infrastructure. With the support from the Central Government, multilateral agencies and the private players, the State Government of Andhra Pradesh is poised to be one of the leading investment destinations of the Country. Visakhapatnam city known as the "jewel of the east" is presently the most populated city in the residuary state of Andhra Pradesh, with a population of about 20 million. It is also the most industrialized city of the state with some of the major Public sector undertakings such as RINL, BHPV, HSL, HPCL, IOC, NTPC, etc. In the Visakhapatnam district there are about 11,000 MSME's and 99 Large scale industries. The State Government of the newly formed state has identified industrial growth as a means to promote higher capital formation; raises wage incomes; and absorb surplus workforce. Also, the recently announced new industrial policy, proposes to establish a state-of the art infrastructure, advance inclusivity, foster innovation, and develop skill sets of its workforce to create employment opportunities across the State. To meet the target industrial development as per the new Industrial Policy it is envisioned to create a good land bank and industrial infrastructure to promote industrialization. With regard to the availability of land bank in the vicinity of the Visakhapatnam city, the present allotable available land with APIIC within 20km radius from Visakhapatnam city is Ac.135.91cts only. To realize the benefits and hasten up the socio-economic changes, through industrial development it is imperative to create ample land bank in and around Visakhapatnam city as top priority is accorded to further industrialize the Visakhapatnam city, and as much of the workforce reside in and around the Visakhapatnam city. With this background , The Collector, Visakhapatnam has suggested the following extent of Reserve Forest (RF) lands upon diversion (Denotification) of these Lands within 20km radius of Visakhapatnam city(as much of the Blue color workforce resides within the city limits) to be given to APIIC for developing a suitable Industrial Estates; RF Land Village Name Sy.No Extent(Acs) Chintagatla Sy.No 81 part 33.13cts Agraharam Gollalapalem Sy.No 1(part), 405.58cts 2/2(part), 278, 279, Narava 280 Ajjanagiri Sy.No 1part 114.45cts Vedurla Narava Sy.No 128part 0.77cts Jaggarajupeta Sy.No 1part 404.96cts Total 958.89cts In accordance with the instructions a field visit of NARAVA, RF lands was conducted jointly with forest and revenue officials on 25-02-2015 . Upon inspection of the NARAVA RF land is found in good location abutting the Duvvada railway station, VSEZ and suitable for development of INTEGRATED MEGA FOOD PARK as follows: Sectors Proposed in the Mega Food Park Proposed Area Industrial Park - I Ac 202.00 Industrial Park - II Ac 25.00 Industrial Park - III Ac 48.00 Industrial Park - IV Ac 154.00 Common Facility Area Ac 96.00 Township for Workers, with all social Ac 50.00 infrastructure. Roads and Open Spaces Ac 383.89 Grand Total Ac 958.89cts The APIIC has already developed certain Industrial Parks in around the City limits for the establishment of industries in Visakhapatnam District, but as on date only a few Acres of land is available vacant, in these parks. The proposed Forest lands is very nearer to the adjacent Industrial parks. Narava land is 14km away from Airport, 20km away from Waltair railway station and 8kms from NH5. Also, this Narava RF land is 12km from Steel plant, 18km from Gangavaram port, 20km from NTPC, making it suitable for setting up industries. In view of the above, the proposal for Diversion of the above Forest land for establishment of Industrial Parks by APIIC is highly justified. If this Forest land are allotted to APIIC for developing Industrial parks, it would create tremendous employment opportunities, and significantly improve standard of living of workforce. Development of Industrial parks by APIIC in the above Narava RF lands would enhance the societal financial and social benefits like improvement in people’s daily lives, transportation, technology and employment. The population in and around the district will be benefited directly as the increase in number of companies would bring job opportunities and other allied small scale industries around the district. Further, in long term the revenues generated through the industries and companies would be used for the development of the State and additional revenues will help in Government schemes. In this regard it is highly solicited to accord permission for diversion of the above RF lands for allotment to APIIC..