A Year Of Hits And Misses For Port City

[JANASENA]

VISAKHAPATNAM: A year after bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh's largest city, which was projected as the state's IT, education and tourism hub, has made some strides despite the deadly knock dealt by Cyclone Hudhud. While quite a few of the promises made by Chandrababu Naidu are yet to materialize, there are others that have either taken off or are ready for take-off.

The year saw Vizag being handpicked among the three Indian cities to be transformed into a 'smart city'. Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) got selected as the only port on the east coast to pilot the Sagarmala project. International airlines like Malindo Air and Air Asia flew in even as domestic players like Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet are spreading their wings.

In the manufacturing sector, new players such as Asian Paints (Rs 1,800 crore) have begun the ground work for new facilities while those like Biocon are eyeing a presence. On the IT front, exports zoomed to Rs 1,800 crore from Rs 1,400 crore and many start-ups are mushrooming with Sunrise Start-ups kicking off operations. On the education front, IIM-V is slated to start operations from a temporary campus with the foundation stone being laid earlier this year. The power situation too has improved, a major plus for industry.

Though big-ticket projects like the iconic IT Signature Towers and the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster are yet to see the light of day, industry captains are optimistic that the CM's acumen in bringing in investments will push Vizag's IT exports past the Rs 4,000 crore mark in the next couple of years. Winston Adams, secretary, Visakhapatnam Information Technology Association (VITA) said, "With the new IT policy, single window clearance for new companies, and proposed electronics and hardware clusters in Vizag, domestic and global players are keen on setting up shop here. The CM's investment-friendly policies will surely lead to an IT boom in the city in the next two to three years. But the pending VSEZ IT towers near Duvvada must be fast-tracked."

Another industry captain pointed out that with improved air connectivity, Vizag is on track to emerge as an IT hub and tourism destination. "With the CM developing the iconic signature tower and focusing on building an eco system conducive for the growth of business and IT, the realty sector too is seeing action," said a realtor.

Educationists too are happy. Prof ABSV Ranga Rao, department of social work, Andhra University, said, "Though AU wasn't converted into a central university, the foundation stone for IIM was laid and a tribal university too is coming up in the region. Though all promises couldn't be fulfilled, it's also unreasonable to expect miraculous development in just a year. Given Naidu's far-sightedness, he will definitely make Vizag an IT and education destination."

However, AU research scholar M Shanthi Bhushan is disheartened at the promise of one job for every home not being fulfilled. "The youth unemployment issue should be addressed and better financial packages for AP and Vizag needed."

On the healthcare front too, doctors point out that Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) has not been opened years after completion of civil works. Dr P A Ramani, vice president, Indian Medical Association (Vizag chapter) said, "VIMS should be put to use for patients at the earliest, vacant medical posts must be filled up and government should focus on decentralized development. We hope the visionary CM won't disappoint us."