Real estate developers in Visakhapatnam have sought a slew of incentives to give a push to construction industry and initiatives to help tide over sand shortage.
At the executive committee-governing council meeting of CREDAI held here on Friday, they pointed out how they were facing the unique problem in respect of procuring sand since the city had no riverbeds.
The builders depend on neighbouring districts like Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and East Godavari as a result of which vested interests create artificial shortage, resulting in exorbitant increase of sand price.
Concessions sought
To overcome this problem, CREDAI-Visakhapatnam suggested steps to encourage the manufacture of sand industry by way of subsidies and concessions in the form of subsidised power, concession in fees and other charges for mines so that individuals/ companies are encouraged to manufacture sand units. This would ensure availability of manufactured sand at competitive rates with natural sand for real estate developers, CREDAI Vizag chapter president P. Koteswara Rao said.
The Visakhapatnam unit members highlighted some of the key issues to streamline industry processes and recommended changes in crucial policies to bring about a wave of unceasing industry growth in the city and State.
Huge potential
CREDAI national office-bearers, including all India president Jaxay Shah and president-elect Satish Magar, said they were very much impressed with the cleanliness and beauty of Visakhapatnam.
“We never knew that Visakhapatnam is such a beautiful city with lovely beaches and hills. Being financial capital and commercial hub of Andhra Pradesh we see a bright future for growth in the city in realty and other sectors,” Mr. Shah said.