A.P. Cabinet approves land allotment for Cognizant Tech Park in Vizag
In a decisive step towards advancing the digital economy and inclusive development, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, approved several proposals during its latest meeting at the State Secretariat on Tuesday.
Among the significant decisions was the clearance for setting up a Cognizant Technology Park in Visakhapatnam, promising to reshape the region's IT landscape. The Cabinet also cleared a proposal for the second phase of land pooling in Amaravati.
Disclosing the details, Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy said that the Cabinet approved the allotment of 22.19 acres of land at Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam (Survey Nos. 394–397) to Cognizant Technology Solutions India Pvt. Ltd. through APIIC at a nominal lease of ₹0.99 per acre, under the AP IT & GCC Policy 4.0 (2024–25).
The ₹1,582.98 crore investment is expected to create over 8,000 direct jobs, reinforcing Visakhapatnam's position as an emerging Global Capability Center (GCC) hub.
The initiative reflects the government's commitment to ease of doing business and building a digitally-empowered economy, he said.
The Cabinet also gave its nod for the second phase of land pooling in Amaravati, covering an additional 44,000 acres, to accelerate capital development. He assured uniform implementation of rules and strict adherence to environmental guidelines set by the NGT and Supreme Court. Provisions include free education and healthcare for local farmers, resolution of boundary disputes, and fast-tracking the construction of previously launched government buildings.
GAD and HVD towers will be constructed by NCC, L&T, and Shapoorji Pallonji, he said.
Other approvals
Key infrastructure and welfare approvals include, sanction of nine new Anna Canteens in rural and urban regions, approval for 40 new Building Inspector posts in the Municipal Administration Department, amendments to building rules for simplified permissions, transfer of 12.07 acres in Tirupati's Vadamalapeta to the Tourism Department, allocation of 50 acres near Gandikota for a new tourist resort, sanction of ₹350 crore for safety upgrades at the Srisailam Dam and the Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, approval to initiate the Polavaram–Banakacharla linkage project benefiting both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, handover of the Ambedkar Statue Complex in Vijayawada to the Cultural Department and appointment of tennis player Saketh Sai as a Deputy Collector under the sports quota, in recognition of his international achievements.
The Cabinet also endorsed the recent Investment Promotion Board decisions.
Further, it gave approval to upgrade 4,687 mini-Anganwadis to full-fledged centres, cleared ₹682 crore tenders to connect E3 Road in Amaravati to NH-16, and sanctioned release of ₹273.17 crore through AP MARKFED for tobacco procurement. It also cleared a proposal to procure 20 million tonnes of tobacco and declare a crop holiday for tobacco next year, the Minister said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Cognizant to open big new campus in Visakhapatnam; 8,000 jobs to be created
VISAKHAPATNAM : Cognizant, a leading technology and professional services company, announced a major expansion of its India operations with plans to develop a state-of-the-art campus in Visakhapatnam. The proposed campus will be spread across 22-acres in Kapuluppada, IT Hills, a site allocated by Andhra Pradesh govt. With an investment of Rs 1,583 crore, the campus will be developed in three phases, creating over 8,000 employment opportunities and further elevating Cognizant's advanced capabilities in AI and digital transformation delivery for clients worldwide. The announcement was made following approval from the Andhra Pradesh cabinet, led by chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. You Can Also Check: Visakhapatnam AQI | Weather in Visakhapatnam | Bank Holidays in Visakhapatnam | Public Holidays in Visakhapatnam 'We are delighted to welcome Cognizant to Visakhapatnam, which aligns with our vision to build Andhra Pradesh as a destination for premier global enterprises,' said IT minister Nara Lokesh 'Cognizant's presence will further accelerate the region's digital economy while boosting technology skills needed for the workforce of the future. We are committed to creating an enabling environment for the IT and ITES sectors through smart infrastructure, ease of doing business and progressive policy support,' added Lokesh. Cognizant will commence operations in Visakhapatnam by early 2026 from a temporary facility with a seating capacity for 800 associates until the completion of the campus' first phase by early 2029. 'We are proud to announce our campus in Visakhapatnam, marking a significant milestone in our growth journey. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Andhra Pradesh govt for their progressive vision and steadfast support,' said Ravi Kumar S, CEO, Cognizant. 'With its abundant talent pool and robust infrastructure, Visakhapatnam stands as a strong partner in our mission to develop the digital workforce of tomorrow, especially in India's tier 2 cities. Through this investment, we look forward to creating impactful career opportunities and contributing to a vibrant, inclusive, and innovation-driven future for the region,' added the Cognizant CEO Since 2024, Cognizant has established new delivery centers in Bhubaneswar, Indore, and a techfin center in GIFT City, Gujarat. These centers have been designed to support the future of work, promote agility, skilling, collaboration and innovation, while providing best-in-class employee experience. India remains central to Cognizant's global delivery, with more than 70% of its 336,300 associates based in the country. The Visakhapatnam expansion builds on Cognizant's strong operational presence across Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi-NCR, GIFT City, Hyderabad, Indore, Kochi, Kolkata, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Pune.
New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Greater Chennai Corporation to restore 41 ponds at Rs 119 crore
CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to rejuvenate 41 ponds in the North Chennai zones of Thiruvottiyur, Manali, Madhavaram, and Tondiarpet at Rs 119.12 crore. The restoration works will include desilting, deepening, strengthening of bunds, and construction of retaining walls. The Manali zone will see the largest share of the work, with 28 ponds set for rejuvenation at Rs 58.43 crore. In Thiruvottiyur, four ponds will be restored at a cost of Rs 28.9 crore. Madhavaram zone also will see Rs 11-crore restoration of four ponds. In Tondiarpet, Rs 20.97 crore has been allocated for five projects. Moreover, five pond restoration projects worth Rs 25.25 crore are in progress using GCC's capital fund. Four new ponds have been created in Guindy, with a storage capacity of 2.28 lakh cubic metres to reduce flooding.
The Hindu
4 hours ago
- The Hindu
Double-engine government has become a double burden on A.P., says CPI(M)
CPI(M) State secretary V. Srinivasa Rao launched a scathing attack on the NDA government's first year in office, calling it a 'year of upside-down governance' that has burdened common people while benefiting corporates. Addressing the media on Tuesday, Mr. Srinivasa Rao said that the double-engine government had failed to deliver on the promises and was instead running a 'double-burden government'. Key welfare schemes were neglected during the last one year. The govenrment has failed in ensuring the minimum wages and remunerative prices for farmers, and imposed a heavy burden on the people in the form of electricity bills, taxes, and administrative confusion. 'Despite claiming ₹9.4 lakh crore in investments through MoUs, there is no clarity on the industries or jobs generated,' he alleged. Mr. Srinivasa Rao criticised Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for 'promoting outdated economic models' like GDP, ignoring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) laid out by the United Nations. Andhra Pradesh ranks 10th among the States on SDG performance. Real development is not GDP alone, but sustainable and inclusive progress. Corporations are being favoured at the cost of workers and the unorganised sector, pointing to stagnant wages for 50 lakh workers and plummeting agricultural prices despite rising market rates. 'Even as ITC shares soar, tobacco farmers are denied fair prices,' he said. Referring to social welfare, the CPI(M) leader alleged irregularities in the 'Thalliki Vandanam' scheme and questioned the delay in delivering schemes such as Annadata Sukhibhava, unemployment allowance, and Stree Shakti funds. Referring to the issue of smart meters, he said that common people were being made to pay exorbitant bill amounts and urged the government to clarify whether it would continue legal cases filed by its own Ministers when they were in the opposition. Criticising the CM's governance style, he pointed to contradictions between statements made at TDP's Mahanadu and the so-called good governance meetings.
