North Andhra needs ecofriendly agro-based industrial corridor, says research report

Srikakulam: The people of Uttara Andhra districts, that comprise Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Vishakhapatnam are the proud owners of the abundant natural resources of this region, which includes minerals, metals, precious stones, fresh water streams and the rivers and the fertile cultivable lands that stretches for millions of hectors.

Yet, the people of this region couldn’t literally benefit by the mere possession of these resource, as several of the neo-capitalists who are only interested in minting money by exploiting the natural resources are operating them for mining; they are clearing the virgin forest lands to setup thermal power projects, nuclear power plants, and multiple other industries that pumps-in the lethal and toxic industrial waste to poison our fresh water streams and the atmospheric wind.

The local population of this region are mere spectators and are not stakeholders of the wealth generated out of this industrialisation. The greedy capitalists are keen only in looting our natural resources, while subjecting the locals to the vulnerabilities of chronic poverty, backwardness and lack of basic and minimum facilities for the humans to continue their living. Plundering the natural resources of Uttara Andhra to feed neo capitalists and industrialists need a critical public debate.

Completion of fishing harbors at Baavanapaadu, Kalingapatnam, and Bhimunipatnam could not only promote fisheries industries here due to enhanced water levels, but also generate employment to the fishing community. The sugarcane processing units at Tandava, Govaada, Yetikoppaka, Tummapaala, Bheemasinghi, and Aamudaalavalasa are eagerly waiting for the modernisation to be initiated at the earliest ‘Along with the sugarcane processing units, the jute mills of the Uttara Andhra must be rejuvenated to retain their reputation as employment generators.

The jute industries of this region have been closed and remained shut for years need to be revived with enough incentives; otherwise, measures must be taken to create alternative job opportunities for the families that have lost livelihood because of the closure of the jute mills in this region.
Keeping the party ideologies and cadre, the people’s representatives of this region should unite to pressurise the central government for the release of the special economic package to build healthy and progressive Uttara Andhra.

The leaders representing this region at the central and the state should take the first step in this direction to lead the people’s movement for the promotion of pollution free, healthy industries to create employment opportunities for the people of this region with an immediate effect.

As of 2016 Srikakulam per capita stood at Rs 55,000, the least in Andhra Pradesh districts and Vizianagaram is Rs. 62,000 and Visakhapatnam is Rs. 1,20000. The government of India announced Rs. 1000 crore economic package for the promotion of Uttara Andhra districts during the state bifurcation in the year 2014 have not been implemented so far, this can be increased to 10,000 Crore and build required infrastructure OR The central government should support to Rs. 25000 crore under public private partnership (PPP) agricultural, food and marine industrial corridor development.

This gesture could immediately stall the labor migration. Dr Srinubabu Gedela, Dr. Srinubabu Gedela, completed Ph.D fom Andhra University and Postdoctorate from Stanford University. The research work is part of Pulsus Group CSR activity.