IT Park layout okayed at Kapuluppada in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: In a significant development, Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), has finalised the layout pattern of the IT park proposed at Kapuluppada.

In the first phase, development will be done in 250 acres of the total 1,750 acres of land available at Kapuluppada. The 1,750 acres was earlier allotted to Unitech Ltd for development of an Integrated Knowledge City.

The allotment was later cancelled by the APIIC since there was no progress on the project and also Unitech Ltd was entangled in the infamous 2G spectrum scam and APIIC feared that Kapuluppada land will also be attached by the Enforcement Directorate as the company’s most of the assets were attached.

State Cabinet last September ratified the APIIC’s decision to cancel the allotment made to Unitech at Kapuluppada. Non-availability of land or readymade space had become a hindrance for the IT sector development in the state.

“Layout pattern has been finalised by APIIC and road formation is under process. Title in revenue records is being updated in the name of APIIC,” said a senior district official.

APIIC had taken Vuda’s help in preparing the IT Park layout.  APIIC, which faced land crunch for acquisition to give it to industries, has decided to first settle land disputes that have been pending since long.

One such case was related to a huge chunk of 1,750 acres of land in Kapuluppada, which was allotted to Unitech Ltd.

After the Unitech Ltd was accused in 2G spectrum scam, fearing attachment of its properties by the Enforcement Directorate(ED), APIIC cancelled its agreement. Challenging the cancellation of allotment, the Unitech moved the High Court in 2011.

After, the availability of huge chunk of land close to the existing IT SEZ in Madhurawada has been brought into the notice of the state government, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu asked the APIIC to expedite the issue and earmark the land for IT companies.