Visakhapatnam set to become leading IT and industrial hub: Revenue Minister
Visakhapatnam is witnessing significant industrial and information technology (IT) growth and is emerging as a major centre for investments and employment generation, Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad said on Saturday. He was addressing the district-level Independence Day celebrations held in the city after hoisting the national flag.
The Minister received a ceremonial salute from the police at the parade ground. He was accompanied by District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore and Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi, who inspected the parade in an open-top vehicle. The march-past was led by the parade commander, with police personnel and NCC cadets participating.
Dignitaries on the dais, including the Minister, received the salute from the contingents. As a symbol of peace and national unity, balloons in the colours of the national flag were released into the air. The Minister also presented the district's development report, outlining welfare and development initiatives taken by the state government and the district administration to accelerate progress.
In his address, Mr. Satya Prasad said the state government has been taking several measures to transform Visakhapatnam into one of the country's leading IT and industrial destinations. He noted that the A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) is playing a key role in attracting investments and developing the necessary industrial infrastructure. As part of these efforts, land has so far been allotted to 28 IT companies, with total investments expected to reach ₹76,424.98 crore. These projects are projected to create employment opportunities for around 130,948 people, he said.
The Minister emphasised that development would not be confined to IT and industrial sectors alone. Employment opportunities would also be generated in tourism and other allied sectors as the city's economic activity expands.
Highlighting specific projects, Mr. Satya Prasad mentioned Google's Data Centre at Tarluvada, the Hyper Data Scale Data Centre Project at Mudasarlova, and industrial units at Gurrampalem. These projects are expected to attract about ₹62,785 crore in investments and generate employment for nearly 95,000 people. The Minister added that these initiatives would give further impetus to industrial development, technology-led growth, and employment generation in Visakhapatnam.
The government is committed to creating an investment-friendly environment and ensuring that the benefits of industrial development reach the people through increased employment opportunities and wider economic activity, he stated.
A major attraction of the celebrations was the colourful display of tableaux showcasing various welfare, development, and public service initiatives implemented across the district. As part of the events, assets and financial assistance worth ₹397.33 crore were distributed among 30,366 beneficiaries under various government schemes. Assistance was provided through the DRDA, GVMC Urban Community Development wing, TRICOR, and other departments, covering schemes such as bank linkage, Streenidhi, CIF, and Unnathi. Support was also extended to persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and fishermen under various programmes.
Cultural programmes presented by students from educational institutions added to the spirit of the Independence Day celebrations.
