21 hours ago
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.
