Citizens’ Research Collective on SEZ

V. Raghavendra

Kakinada, January 17, 2008: As a part of the plans for industrial development of Kakinada region, the State government has cleared a proposal to set up another port between Moolapet and A. V. Nagaram villages to exclusively cater to the special economic zone (SEZ).

Designed to handle 27 million tonnes of cargo, it is aimed at providing smooth operations of the units to be set up in the SEZ, thereby reducing the burden on Kakinada Seaports Limited (KSL).

In addition to this, the government has accorded formal approval for the establishment of a hydrocarbon extraction, handling and transportation unit by the Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) near Gadimoga village in Tallarevu mandal of East Godavari district. This project is estimated to cost nearly Rs. 2,495 crore.

The Department of Industries has been instructed to do a field inspection of the RIL project which is already in the process of building an off-shore terminal in the same area (Gadimoga) to tap the gas reserves found in K-G Basin for exporting purpose.

Another unique project which is in the conceptual stage, is the deepening and widening of the canal that links Kakinada port with Kadiam to facilitate cheaper transport of cargo for local industries and passengers in the long run.

Development
District Industries Centre General Manager and Joint Director of Industries V. R. Vijayaraghava Naik told The Hindu that investments amounting to about Rs. 52,000 crore are in the offing and the above projects will bring about unprecedented development throughout the coastal belt between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada.

According to official sources, the IDCAP had examined the feasibility of transporting cargo on motorised barges weighing up to 700 tonnes through the above canal, which will be widened as per the requirement.

No report yet
The INCAP is yet to submit its report. Besides, the RIL is constructing an exclusive berth at Kakinada port to transport gas to different destinations around the globe. These projects are set to catapult Kakinada region into the big league of industrial hubs like Visakhapatnam.

Source: The Hindu