The Vizag Development Council (VDC) on Sunday urged the Union minister of state for science and technology and earth sciences, Y S Chowdary, to extend support from the Centre for establishing premier central government institutions in the Port City.

Requesting the Union minister to focus on granting the new railway zone, the VDC said that the Visakhapatnam division has 1,000 acre of vacant land and the largest diesel locomotive shed. "Creation of a railway zone with Vizag as the headquarters will facilitate around 5,000 jobs and improve freight movement," a VDC member said.

The VDC also sought sanction of an IT Investment Region (ITIR) from the central government as the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has identified around 10,000 acres for the mega project.

The VDC felt that Vizag is the right place for location of National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER) and also sought sanction of Rs 30 crore for the proposed biotech park and incubation centre.

Moreover, the VDC demanded setting up of a National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), STQC Directorate, Electronic Test and Development Centre, and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing to help in the growth of the IT sector in the city.

Source: TOI