VIJAYAWADA: The State Government which has been providing lands to private firms, to establish their industrial units, has failed to provide required land for setting up Rail Neer plant proposed by Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). On several occasions, IRCTC officials have taken the matter to the notice of the government but their attempts have been exercises in futility .
According to IRCTC officials, an year ago, proposals were submitted to Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) seeking it to sanction 1.5 acre land in Malavalli village, Gannavaram Mandal for setting up the Rail-Neer plant to cater to the needs of passengers travelling via Vijayawada.
‘’Earlier, we had identified lands near Krishna Canal junction and near Duggirala railway station to establish the Rail Neer plant.
However, the lands are being utilised by railway officials for multiple purposes. When the State Government proposed to develop an industrial park near Malavalli village, we approached APIIC officials and evinced our interest to pay the amount for the land fixed by the officials. However, there was no response from the APIIC officials,” said a senior IRCTC official on condition of anonymity.
The official further added that had APIIC officials sanctioned the land, IRCTC would have set up the plant in the next six months. Measures should be taken by the government to allocate the land for the establishment of the plant at the earliest, he said.
What is the need for Rail Neer plant?
15,000 ltrs required by SCR Vijayawada division to meet drinking water needs of passengers.
80,000 ltrs of water estimated requirement of South Central Railway (SCR).
85,000 ltrs of water can be produced in a day if the plant is established.
Currently, water bottles procured from Tamil Nadu
Rs 25 cost of one-litre water bottle now Rs 15 cost of 1l bottle if plant is established.