Often considered to be the mainstay of big industry in Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam popularly known as Vizag has been a pillar of industrial growth and activity.
With the presence of coveted PSUs (Public sector undertakings) such as Vizag Port Authority (VPA), Hindustan Shipyard Limited, HPCL, RINL and a thriving private sector ranging from pharma to IT to manufacturing Vizag has actively played the role of an economic engine for the state.
It is the most industrialised region in the state of Andhra Pradesh thereby its significance in driving economic growth not only for the city but the entire state.
As Industry has been rejoicing the return of Mr Nara Chandrababu Naidu they are equally cheering the overwhelming mandate given to the young and dynamic Mr Sribharat Mathukumilli who won the city’s Lok Sabha seat with a whopping margin of over 5 lakh votes, highest in the state.
Grandson of the late MVVS Murthy founder of GITAM, Sri Bharat is the president of GITAM deemed to be university and also the founder of the Kautilya school of public policy.
Apart from being an accomplished educationalist he himself is a post graduate from Stanford and possesses all the right credentials in effectively representing the city of destiny in Parliament.
Industry has evoked optimism on his election as the city’s Lok Sabha representative and are hoping that some of their key demands/expectations are met with.
‘To ensure faster growth & attract more investments into the city a policy framework needs to be developed which will be valid for the next 5-10 years, thereby ensuring stability and boosting the confidence of potential investors and the business community at large.
There needs to be a right mix of fiscal and non-fiscal measures which will boost industrial growth’ said Mr Sudarshan Swamy, president of the Vizagapatnam chamber of commerce and industry (VCCI) speaking to Vizag Industrial Scan.
Mr Swamy advocated for streamlining the single window system with a focus on clearing the way for new investments and called for more hand holding of investors.
Highlighting certain sectors Mr Grandhi Rajesh, Chairman CII, Visakhapatnam zone said ‘Some of the key sectors that need focus on include the ports and logistics sector, road connectivity for seamless cargo evacuation. In addition, other sectors such as IT and pharma also hold prominence’.
Mr Rajesh also stressed on enhancing connectivity to the upcoming greenfield airport at Bhogapuram and opined that more flyovers are needed at various junctions in the city.
Tourism is another sector which will probably need Sribharat’s attention in making Vizag an attractive destination for tourists. Despite being bestowed with picturesque sights and sounds Vizag has time and again lost out on being a hotspot for tourists.
A key stakeholder of the tourism sector, the hospitality industry has been seeking industry status which it says will significantly benefit the industry on a whole.
There is also the emotive issue of saving RINL (Vizag Steel Plant) from being privatised which will require strong representation from the city’s political class in voicing peoples opinions.
With the voters having given a resounding mandate to the affable and articulate Sribharat industry and the city on a whole are hopeful of their voices being heard.
