AP government losing hope on Vizag ITIR project

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh government is losing hope on the Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) project proposed at Vizag with no progress for the last two year. The Detailed Project Report submitted by the state government has mentioned that ITIR project could draw an investment of about Rs 50,000 crore.

The ITIR concept was formulated in 2008 with a view to promote investments in IT, ITES and electronic manufacturing sectors. As per the initial requirements, a minimum area of 40 square km had to be delineated for the project. Out of the total area, 40 per cent is to be earmarked for processing zone and the remaining for non-processing zone. When asked about the progress of the project, IT Adviser to CMO, J.A. Chowdary said, “The sanctioned ITIR project in Hyderabad itself has not taken off, expecting investment for similar project Tier-II city seems uncertain. The ITIR projects are not under active consideration by the Union government.”

He said that the state government has no role in the project. “However, we have already submitted a detailed project report as sought by the centre,” Mr Chowdary said. Rushikonda IT Park Association vice-president, O. Naresh Kumar said, “Both the Central and state governments should work together to come up with the new policy that will ensure infrastructure and incentives too. The policies should be framed such that Tier-II city like Vizag could also draw investment.”