Leverage growing demand for ethanol, formulate comprehensive plan, Andhra CM tells officials

Amaravati, Jul 7 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday directed officials to leverage the growing market for ethanol, saying its demand would surge substantially due to increased blending in petrol and diesel. According to him, increasing ethanol blending to 40 per cent would provide significant additional income to maize farmers, and officials must actively encourage investments in the ethanol manufacturing sector. “He (Naidu) emphasised on attracting investments to strengthen rural economy and called for leveraging the growing demand for ethanol. He instructed officials to actively encourage investments in the ethanol manufacturing sector, saying ethanol demand would increase substantially for blending with petrol and diesel,” said an official press release on the 19th State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) meeting. The CM directed officials to formulate a comprehensive policy covering ethanol, methane and aviation fuel. Further, the SIPB meeting headed by the CM approved investments worth Rs 9,076 crore across 11 projects, which are expected to generate 10,531 employment opportunities in the state. Major projects approved in the SIPB meeting include Rs 1,600 crore to set up a solar cell and module manufacturing unit at Parawada in Anakapalli district by Akshat Greentech Pvt Ltd and an investment to the tune of Rs 1,200 crore by Berry Alloys Ltd in Bobbili to establish an integrated manganese sinter, DRI and a carbon paste plant. Besides, the SIPB gave its nod for an investment worth Rs 689 crore for the Swarnagiri gold mining project at Tuggali mandal in Kurnool district and Rs 1,800 crore investment by Mondelez India Foods Pvt Ltd at Sri City to set up a food processing unit. Further, Naidu highlighted the immense potential of the tourism sector, proposing the establishment of 100 experience centres at major tourist destinations across the southern state, including Thimmamma Marrimanu. He suggested developing tourist destinations such as Polavaram, Dindi, Gandikota, Kambham Cheruvu and Lambasingi into world-class attractions, said the release. Naidu noted that the Jindal Group has expressed interest in establishing a resort near Lambasingi and Araku. He also called for the promotion of Andhra Pradesh's traditional handicraft and cultural heritage, including Etikoppaka, Kondapalli, Dharmavaram, Mangalagiri, Uppada and Ponduru. He instructed officials to expedite preparing the Suryalanka Master Plan (tourism project) and develop projects such as Kangundi Fort in Kuppam and an Elephant Safari in Chittoor district. Highlighting the expansion of hotel infrastructure in the state, Naidu congratulated officials for facilitating investments in the hospitality sector, leading to the rise of hotel rooms. While Andhra Pradesh had 4,390 hotel rooms in 2024, approvals have been granted over the past two years for the construction of 9,364 additional hotel rooms, increasing the total capacity to 13,753 rooms, said the release. With renewable energy witnessing rapid growth, the Chief Minister directed officials to attract investments in solar cell manufacturing and position Andhra Pradesh as a national leader in the sector. He instructed officials to expedite the establishment of the remaining 38 MSME parks and integrate them with railway terminals to improve logistics. Naidu called for the development of a logistics university and skill development centres to enhance employment opportunities for youth. The CM directed that all new industries in the state should be encouraged to use green energy, and instructed officials to expedite the grounding of the BPCL and AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) projects through continuous engagement, among other guidelines. PTI STH ROH