Andhra Pradesh government today appointed a high-livel committee to guide the state government in converting the Amaravati into a major logistics center of India. Former IAS officer Dr RC Sinha has been appointed chairman of the committee while former state PWD secretary, Gujarat, Jamdhar and RK Jha, former Transportation and Communication head, CIDICO as members. Few more government nominees will also be appointed in due course. The committee will finalize the concept, time-frame, financial implications as well as PPP model for the implementation of development of the logistics centre at Amaravati.
The appointment of the high-level committee is in tune with the ambitious plan of chief minister Naidu to develop the green field capital Amaravati not merely a capital city of Andhra Pradesh but also a world-class city with industrial, commercial, educational and health hubs. As part of this, the government wants to develop a major logistic centre at a suitable location in the capital region, either at Amaravati proper or some other location in the region. The logistic centre will be based on rail, road, Air and water transport connectivity.
The committee has been asked to submit its report in six months. The committee has been given freedom to hold meetings at any place it deems appropriate and the chairman has been authorized to invite any person as observer of the committee and he can appoint any person or company or institutions to study the logistic systems and assist the committee. The committee can visit other successful logistics centres to study their models and incorporate the best practices in the proposed Amaravati logistics centre. The government fixed Rs 15,000 as sitting free for the chairman and Rs 10,000 for the members.
According to sources in the government, Tadepalli mandal is the most likely location of the Andhra Pradesh logistics centre. The government has already decided in principle to develop the area into a major logistics hub as it is well connected and suited for the purpose, said the sources. “Nulakapeta, Bapuji Nagar and Undavalli areas of Tadepallli mandal, with their rail, road and water connectivity will make an ideal locality for the development of logistic centre. Since a green field international airport is also proposed between Tadepalli and Mangalagiri, the committee will study the areas if they could make the ideal locality,” sources in the government told telugu360.com.
