SEEMANDHRA’S NEW HOT ZONES

The bifurcation of   Andhra   Pradesh  has  thrown  up   new   interesting possibilities of  the  lines along which the  new  state  popularly called Seemandhra will develop. And once development sets in,it is only a question of time before the development centres becomes focal zones for realty.

The residual part of Andhra Pradesh, popularly known  as the Seemandhra region, came into existence on the June 2,2014 after the new state of Telangana was formed. The capital city of Andhra Pradesh,   Hyderabad   is  geographically  part   of Telangana, but will serve as the joint capital of the two states for the next 1Oyears.

The new Andhra Pradesh has immense potential for  development due to its geographical location. It has the second largest coastline after Gujarat, and the state has five sea ports. It  also has four  airports, which significantly enhances the air connectivity of the cities. The NH-5,  part  of  The  Golden  Quadrilateral  (the highway network connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and  Kolkata), passes through  the  key cities of  the Seemandhra  region,   accounting   for   considerable strength in terms of road connectivity.

The key development clusters of Andhra Pradesh which can drive its growth are:

• North Cluster, Visakhapatnam

• North Central Cluster, Rajamundry and Kakinada

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• Central Cluster, Vijayawada, Guntur, Tenali and Mangalgiri

• South Cluster, Tiruati, Nellqr and Ongole

NORTH CLUSTER KEY CITY VISAKHAPATNAM

Visakhapatnam, also known as the ‘City of Destiny’, is an important   port  city of  Andhra  Pradesh. Madhurawada, located in the north-east of the city along NH-5, is already developed as an IT hub, with information technology firms having been allocated land in this area to develop and start their  operations. A few  of  these companies are already operational.

The south-west part of Visakhapatnam is home to Jawaharlal Nehru  Pharma City (JNPC), the  only pharmaceutical SEZ in India. Industrial developments such as the steel and power plants are located towards the south. The city’s two ports-Vizag Port and Gangavaram Port (the deepest port in India) -are on the south-east of the city.

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Visakhapatnam is now emerging as a major healthcare hub, with  Manipal  Hospitals, Apollo  Hospitals and  Narayana Hrudayalaya planning to expand further in the city. It also has potential to develop on the film and tourism industry, given its  scenic beauty. With  many  public  sector units operational  there, Vizag also has notable  potential  for development in coming years.

North Central Cluster I   Key City

Rajahmundry and Kakinada

Rajahmundry, a city of  great  historical and  religious relevance, is located on the bank of the Godavari and has huge tourism potential. With an airport located at Madhurapudi, it is well-connected to Hyderabad by air. Kakinada, located close to Rajahmundry, has a port and is part of the thriving PCPIR (Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment  Region). It  is, in  fact, an important  base for ONGC. Also, the Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) Onshore Gas Terminal at Gadimoga is located at about 30 kilometres south of Kakinada. This city has immense development potential for  industrial, warehousing and logistics development.

• Hyderabad is geographically part of Telangana, but will serve as the joint capital of the two states for the next 10 years.
• The new Andhra Pradesh coast line often Gujarat, and the state has five seaports. It also has four airports, which significantly enhances the air connectivity of the cities.
• Visakhapatnam is already developed as an It hub. The south west part of Visakhapatnam is home to Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) the only pharmaceutical SEZ in india
• With an airport located at Madhurapudi, Rajamundry is well connected to Hyderabad by air
• Kakinada, located close to Rajahmundry, has a port and is part of the thriving Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region, it is, infact, an important for ONGC
• The central cluster is most likely to house the new capital of Andhra Pradesh and is expected to become the financial centre of the state, The two growing areas within this cluster are Gannavaram and Guntur
• Vijaynada is traditionally a trading town and lies in the prime agricultural bed of Andhra Pradesh

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Central Cluster Key City Vijayawada, Guntur, Tenali and Mangalgiri

This cluster is most likely to house the new capital of Andhra Pradesh and is expected to become the financial centre of the state. The two growing areas within this cluster are Gannavaram and Guntur.

Vijayawada is traditionally a trading town and lies in the prime agricultural bed of Andhra Pradesh. The main economic base being agriculture, this city has considerable potential for development in terms of the food and agro industries.

An IT park is located at Gannavaram near Vijayawada Airport, and there is a proposed IT SEZ at Mangalagiri. The city is expanding along the NH-5, and the major growth is along the south corridor of N H-5 towards Guntur. Its proximity to Machilipatnam Port is a huge advantage for Vijayawada which, along with Guntur, is also home to many educational institutions. Together, they form an important educational hub of the state.

South Cluster I Key City, Tirupati, Nellore and Ongole

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This cluster is located close to Chennai and Bangalore. Tirupati has a planned IT SEZ at Renigunta close to the airport, with the town along its east towards Renigunta. The city good growth potential, as it is almost equidistant to Chennai and Bangalore. Also, it is an important pilgrimage destination of India and therefore witnesses considerable tourism activity.

In Nellore, located 1 30 km from Tirupati, agriculture and aquaculture form the primary economic base of the city. However, it is gradually witnessing industrial development as Krishnapatnam Port is located there. The city has a distinct business spirit, as some key entrepreneurs of India hail from this district. In addition, Sri City – an industrial hub – is located in Nellore. This h u b is an integrated township development which h a s witnessed huge industrial investments. All factors considered, Nellore is likely to see considerable manufacturing-based industrial development in the future. Ongole, located 1 30 kilometres from Nellore, is also poised to develop on lines very similar to Nellore

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