The draft master plan for the Visakhapatnam-Kakinada Petroleum, Chemicals, Petro-chemical Investment Region (PCPIR) will be notified in the first week of next month, according to N. Yuvaraj, Vice-Chairman of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority as well as the PCPIR Special Development Authority.

He added that it will be displayed in all the 97 villages covered under the project in East Godavari and Visakhapatnam districts besides being available to the public on the web,

He told reporters here on Wednesday evening that after the notification three months' time would be given to panchayats and one month time to individuals to file objections and make suggestions. The final master plan may be notified by the year-end after several studies are completed by the agencies such as the National Institute of Oceanography and others. The land use register will also be made public and then the AP Pollution Control Board will conduct a public hearing.

2 major petrochem complexes: He said two major petrochem complexes - one by the GAIL and the HPCL at Atchyuthapuram in Visakhapatnam district and another near Kakinada - would be set up in the PCPIR. A 138-km 6-lane expressway would be laid between the Gangavaram port and Kakinada through the PCPIR at a cost of Rs 1,500 crores. It would be linked to the National Highway no. 5 and state roads. The alignment was being worked out by the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation and the Infrastructure Corporation of AP.

Jetties for fishermen : He said the fishermen in the PCPIR region need have no apprehensions as all steps would be taken to protect their livelihood and two fishing jetties and landing centres would be constructed between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. All measures would be taken for the proper rehabilitation of fishermen and other sections, he added.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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