The Visakhapatnam Port Trust is developing an EXIM Park over an area of 1,327 acres in order to provide further fillip to industrialisation of its hinterland. The idea is to attract port-based industries. 
    The park is being located in the existing industrial belt and is connected to NH-5. An industrial bypass road of 8 km, starting from the Naval Dockyard junction, passing through the EXIM Park area, and connecting the NH, has already been laid by the port.
    The construction of a second link road from the port junction to the park area to serve the industries coming up in the area is also on the cards. The 8 km road, including flyovers and a road bridge across the river Meghadrigedda, is estimated to cost Rs 80 crore. Besides serving the industries located in the western sector, it will reduce the distance by about 4 km.
    Land would be allotted based on the nature of the industry. The allotment will be made by calling open tenders as per the revised guidelines of the Ministry of Surface Transport. The plots would be given for lease up to 30 years. 
[See issue dated June 16-30, 2002, for related stories]