AMNS India and APSSDC sign LoI for ₹70-crore skill centre at Nakkapalli
The Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation (APSSDC) and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Private Limited (AMNS India) have signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) to establish an Integrated Skill and Community Development Centre at Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district. The proposed centre is intended to focus on industry-oriented training, employment generation and livelihood enhancement in the region.
The LoI was signed on Tuesday by APSSDC Managing Director and CEO G. Ganesh Kumar and AMNS India Director and Vice-President (HR and Administration) Ashutosh Telang.
A Letter of Intent is an initial expression of intent between two parties and does not, by itself, commit either side to building or funding the project. According to a statement issued on Tuesday, implementation will depend on approval from the Andhra Pradesh government, the receipt of applicable clearances, finalisation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and funding arrangements, and the subsequent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The centre is to be named “Naipunya Mariyu Samaja Abhivrudhi Kendram.” Its stated purpose is to equip local youth with industry-relevant skills, provide recognised certifications and help them access employment. It will also take up community development work aimed at improving the livelihoods of women, farmers and fishermen by linking them with relevant government welfare and development schemes.
Under the proposal, AMNS India has indicated a capital investment of approximately ₹70 crore for infrastructure, construction, equipment and related facilities. The company has also proposed an annual allocation of around ₹10 crore towards training programmes, maintenance and other operational expenses. The final investment and operating arrangements are to be settled through the DPR.
The roles of the two partners are set out in the LoI. APSSDC will coordinate skill development programmes, mobilise eligible beneficiaries, and monitor training and certification activities. AMNS India will help prepare the DPR, develop the required infrastructure and establish operational arrangements in line with mutually agreed terms.
Mr. Ganesh Kumar said the proposed centre would help align skill development with industry requirements while expanding employment and livelihood opportunities for local communities. He added that the partnership was intended to promote industry-linked training alongside inclusive community development in the Nakkapalli region.
Mr. Telang said the collaboration would focus on equipping local youth with industry-relevant skills and recognised certifications, thereby improving their access to employment and creating additional livelihood opportunities for the surrounding communities.
Nakkapalli is a mandal in Anakapalli district, in coastal Andhra Pradesh. APSSDC, the state government's skill development agency, runs training and certification programmes across the state.
What happens next: the proposal moves to the government approval and planning stage. Until the DPR is finalised and an MoU is signed, the centre remains a proposal rather than a committed project, according to the statement.
