Note on Justification for Allotment of Forest lands at Nadupuru Village Pedagantyada Mandal, 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 Nadupuru RF Nadupuru Village 480/2 Ac 462.168 cts In accordance with the instructions a field visit of NADUPURU RF lands was conducted jointly with Forest and Revenue Officials on 25-02-2015. Upon inspection of the NADUPURU RF land is found in good location abutting the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and suitable for development of INDUSTRIAL PARK as follows: Components Proposed within Proposed Area INDUSTRIAL PARK Industrial Park Ac.237.168 Worker’s Quarters and other common Ac 40.00 amenities. Roads and Open Space Ac 185.00 Total Ac 462.168 cts The APIIC has already developed certain Industrial Parks in and 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. Nadupuru land is 17km away from Airport, 23km away from Railway station, 6km from NH5, hence the proposed Lands is very nearer to Airport, NH5 and Railway Station making it additionally advantageous for setting up of the industry. Also Nadupuru land is 2km from Steel Plant, 17km from Gangavaram port, 11km from NTPC. 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 is 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 Nadupuru 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..