Australia promises to extend support for development of the city...

Australia promises to extend support for development of the city
Australian Consulate General in Chennai Gen. Sean Kelly on Tuesday assured Australia’s support for development of Kurnool as a mega city.

Addressing a review meeting with District Collector Ch. Vijayamohan and other officials at the State guest house here, Gen. Kelly sought allotment of 20 acres of land at Bethamcherla in the district for establishing a high-grade iron ore plant with an investment of Rs. 3,000 crore to generate employment to 2,000 persons.

Modern technology would be deployed to convert the low-grade iron ore available at Bethamcherla in the district into a high-grade ore, as it has tremendous market potential, he said.

The Consulate General promised to develop an education hub by setting up a world class university in Kurnool. Unemployed youth would be imparted training in computers and vocational higher education courses.

Ring roads

Gen. Kelly also assured cooperation in developing inner and outer rings in Kurnool and development of the river bed and canal systems for the Handri Neeva, Tungabhadra, and KC Canal projects.

Initiative hailed

Welcoming the Australian initiative, Mr. Vijayamohan said a 20-acre land was earmarked for high-grade iron production at Bethamcherla. Development of an industrial park and other aspects would be finalised with the approval of the government, the Collector said.

The Collector gave a PowerPoint presentation to the Australian Consulate General on the resources and funds available, normal cropping area and the hardship caused by deficient rainfall and drought conditions and other development proposals.

Joint Collector C. Harikiran, RDO Raghubabu, Municipal Commissioner S. Ravindra Babu and other officials participated.