KARIMNAGAR: Gone are the days when the Karimnagar was stated to be naxalite-affected and disturbed district. Now, it is most sought after district for multinational companies and various automobile/two-wheeler companies because and is emerging as a `hot market'. The vehicle manufacturing companies, including all brands of two-wheelers and cars from Maruti to Hyundai are competing to open their exclusive showrooms in various parts of the district.

Thanks to the bumper harvest during the last khariff and rabi, the purchasing capacity of the farmers has increased manifold in the district. It was surprising to note that during the last four months alone, the farmers and others in the district had purchased Rs. 110 crore worth vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars and tractors in Karimnagar district.

Sale of vehicles

Official estimates put the sale of vehicles in Karimnagar district alone — 1,312 two-wheelers in February 2007; 2,344 bikes in March, 2,455 in April and 2,186 in May. While, 58 cars in February, 67 in March, 48 cards in April and 79 in May; 259 tractors in February, 257 in March, 149 in April and 224 in May this year.

Incidentally, the Karimnagar district tops in the State after Hyderabad in the sales of various models of two-wheelers.

However, the Hero Honda branded bikes in the district captures 65 to 70 per cent of the market. The district also tops in the sales of tractors in the State.

Prasada Rao, managing partner of Sri Raja Rajeshwara Motors, Karimnagar and Ramagundam industrial area, says that, "Earlier, we used to sell on an average 500 bikes in a month.

But with the completion of harvesting season, there was heavy demand for the bikes and now we are selling anywhere between 1,500 to 1,600 bikes from their showrooms."

He also said that easy financing by various firms was also helping the people to purchase bikes.

Following the copious inflows into SRSP, Upper Manair Dam and Lower Manair Dam and abundant rainfall, the farmers produced Rs. 832 crore worth farm produce in Karimnagar district and set a record in the State .

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