Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has entrusted Asian Development Bank (ADB) for undertaking feasibility study of ‘Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC)’. ADB has since submitted a draft ‘final report’ on Conceptual Development Plan (CDP) of VCIC. Two proposals for setting up of ‘Mega Leather Cluster’ in the State of Andhra Pradesh have also been received under Indian Leather Development Programme (ILDP) of this Department.

Under the erstwhile ‘Growth Centre Scheme’ of DIPP, central grant was released to three Growth Centres in Andhra Pradesh at ‘Ongole’, ‘Bobbili’ and ‘Hindupur’ and Full Utilization Certificates have been received from the State Government after completion of these Growth Centres. No Growth Centre was sanctioned at ‘Vemsoor’. However, it is pertinent to mention that the above mentioned growth centres are not related to recent initiatives of the Department as mentioned above since the Government of India discontinued the ‘Growth Centre Scheme’ with effect from 1st April, 2009.

Vishakhapatnam Export Processing Zone was established on 15.3.1989 at Duvvada, Vishakhapatnam. Later the same was converted into Vishakhpatnam Special Economic Zone on 01.01.2003 vide notification No.06/06/1999-EPZ dated 19.12.2002.

Vishakhapatnam Port Trust has no plans to develop a port based EXIM park as of now. However, a multi model logistic hub (MMLH) is being set up at the EXIM Park in the western sector of Visakhapatnam Port as a JV between VPT and Balmer Lawrie & Co. Ltd., (A Govt. of India enterprise) at an estimated cost of ₹ 211.02 crores approved by Ministry of Shipping for which JV/Share holders agreement was signed between the parties. The MMLH is being set up with an objective of creating infrastructure such as open/covered/bonded warehouses, cold storage and cold chain facility for domestic & Exim Cargo, CFS, facilities for parking, repacking, relabeling etc. of Exim Cargo. The project is expected to be commenced by January, 2015 with expected completion by February, 2016.

This information was given by the Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Commerce & Industry Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

Industrial corridor development proceeds with feasibility study and planned multi-modal logistics hub and SEZ conversion. The Asian Development Bank completed a draft Conceptual Development Plan for the Vizag-Chennai industrial corridor and two Mega Leather Cluster proposals were received under the Indian Leather Development Programme. Separate from discontinued central Growth Centre grants, port infrastructure actions include conversion of an Export Processing Zone into a Special Economic Zone and a joint-venture multi-modal logistics hub at the Visakhapatnam EXIM Park intended to provide bonded warehouses, cold storage, cargo handling and related services with approved agreements and an implementation timetable.