Andhra gets a new 'green' bus-manufacturing plant

Mallavalli (Andhra Pradesh) : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a new 'green' bus-manufacturing plant of Ashok Leyland, the flagship company of Hinduja group.

The green field factory will be the first plant of Ashok Leyland in the state.

The plant is situated at the Model Industrial Park, Mallavalli village in Krishna district.

Ashok Leyland chairman, Dheeraj G Hinduja, and MD and CEO Vinod K Dasari attended the ceremony.

Part of the fast upcoming manufacturing hub in Krishna district, the plant will be spread over 75 acres and will include latest technologies to deliver high-quality standards.

Once fully completed, the plant will be able to produce 4800 buses per annum.

Further, a state of the art learning center and an advanced service training centre will also be set up.

The plant will have the potential to employ over 5000 employees.

While the plant will have the capability to make the entire range of buses of Ashok Leyland brand, the facility will also include an electric vehicle development centre comprising of a futuristic conveyor line, pilot assembly line and prototype development.

It will be a complete green facility with rooftop solar panels, LED lighting, battery operated vehicles for in-plant movement, positive water balance and zero discharge.

"Today is a landmark day for us. We are excited to have such an established company like Ashok Leyland setting up a factory in Andhra Pradesh. It is a key addition to our fast expanding manufacturing hub here. This factory will not only provide jobs to our youth but also help improve the skill level of our people in the state and overall economy of the region," said Chandrababu Naidu.

He also added that they are developing the state as an automobile hub.

"We are developing Andhra Pradesh as an automobile hub. Kia motors at Anantapuram, Ashok Leyland here and many big shot companies in different parts of the state. With a number of MSMEs, Mallavalli will soon become an industrial hub. Airport and seaport are nearer. Outer Ring Road is under construction. With all connectivity facilities, transport will be very easy," he said.

Naidu also added that the state is number one in agriculture. However, to achieve sustainable growth, the state needs to develop the services and industrial sectors.

"Post the bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh has been suffering from many problems. I am working hard to overcome the hurdles. Through partnership summits, worldwide meetings, we are trying to bring many industries in manufacturing as well as service sectors. Our aim is to achieve number one in productivity at a national level. We will make Andhra Pradesh one of the top three states in India by 2022, top state in India by 2029 and top class state in the world by 2050," he added.

"The Hinduja Group is proud that its flagship Ashok Leyland has chosen the vibrant state of Andhra Pradesh for its latest plant. Ashok Leyland has been at the forefront of mass mobility in the country. With this new plant, we are preparing ourselves for the future," said Dheeraj G Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland.

"This facility will help us be ahead of the curve by ensuring our readiness towards implementation of the bus body code and to meet the rising demand for ready to use, fully built trucks as well. We will also produce electric vehicles at this plant. The new plant is also strategically located to meet the demands of center, east and southern India markets," said Vinod K Dasari, MD and CEO, Ashok Leyland.

Andhra Pradesh Industries Minister Amarnath Reddy, Law Minister Kollu Raveendra, Krishna district collector B Lakahmikantam, MP K Narayana, and other dignitaries graced the occasion.