ANANTAPUR: The ground levelling works of the car manufacturing unit of South Korean automobile major Kia Motors proposed in Penukonda mandal are in full swing. The bhoomi puja for the unit, which will be set up with an investment of Rs 13,500 crore, is likely to be performed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in August.
The construction of a 220 KV electrical sub-station has been taken up and the works for the removal of cell phone towers, electric polls and other structures at the project site will be undertaken soon, officials said.
The government has acquired 600 acres at Yerramanchi, Amavarupalle and Guttur villages in Penukonda mandal through the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) for the project, of which 535 acres have been given to the Kia Motors and the rest would be used to create the necessary infrastructure for the factory.
The L&T has bagged the contract of the ground levelling works at a cost of Rs 174 crore. “The Ministry of Water Resources has prepared plans to divert canals and streams passing through the area and has asked the state government to release funds to carry out the works. Pipelines will be laid to bring water from Gollapalli Reservoir at cost of Rs 125 crore,” Anantapur collector G Veerapandian said.
It has been decided to complete the ground levelling works by the month-end and the construction works are scheduled to begin in August, he said.
“We have set up a target to commence the trial run of the factory next year and start the production in September 2019,” said Kia Motors representative Lee. He said that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was reviewing the ongoing works periodically.
When the Chief Minister visited the district recently, he inspected the works using drone technology. Collector G Veerapandian, who assumed the office two months ago, has reviewed the works thrice so far.
Meanwhile, the farmers, who have already parted with their lands for the project, wish the early completion of the works so that more jobs would be available for the local unemployed youth.
“The car factory will provide employment to 40,000 people directly or indirectly,” sources said.
“I am happy as the factory will create jobs for our children,” said T Muralikrishna, a farmer who has parted with 15 acres for the project. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made for the Bhoomi pooja to be performed by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the first week of August.