Andhra Pradesh   

``Odyssey Science City" for Anantapur planned

Special Correspondent

Consortium of 4 foreign companies to set up facility in 10 years

HYDERABAD: A massive, state-of-the-art integrated ` Odyssey Science City' is proposed to be established in drought-prone Anantapur district with an investment of $ 25 billion (Rs. 1.1 lakh crores) over the next 10 years by a consortium of four Australia and Singapore-based companies.

The proposal for setting up the mega venture was signed by Additional Secretary (Industries) K.R. K. Reddy on behalf of the State Government and Bob Sharpless, Managing Director, Springfield Land Corporation, Australia, in the presence Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Thursday. It would be coming up between Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda in Anantapur, a few hours' drive from Bangalore.

Dr. Reddy said: "We are excited about the announcement of Odyssey Science City in an area that has been traditionally drought-prone and backward." He assured full Government support for the project.

The consortium consists of Springfield Land Corporation, Macquarie Bank, Australia and Juron International Group, and Semb Corp Industries, both from Singapore.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr. Sharpless said the project envisaged a self-contained, hi-tech complex with its own comprehensive infrastructure, including power, expressways, telecom networks, desalination plants, biotech parks, SEZs, IT/Biotech parks, industrial parks, hospitals, educational institutions, hotels and amusement parks.

He said Science City would provide direct employment to 15 lakh people and indirect employment to another 10 lakhs. It would be financed entirely by the consortium and the Government's support would be required in areas like provision of land and water on commercial terms.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

``Odyssey Science City" for Anantapur planned
Contributory pension scheme opposed
Court declines to stay G.O.s on Margadarsi
Reaching out
In full glory
Vedic ritual
Briefly

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu