MDL to invest Rs.15,000 crore in Dugarajapatnam shipyard

Metro India News | AMARAVATI : Andhra Pradesh is set to accelerate its push into advanced technology and maritime manufacturing, with the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) clearing major IT, artificial intelligence and quantum technology projects, while Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) signed an MoU to develop a Greenfield shipyard at Dugarajapatnam. MDL, a Navratna Defense PSU under the Ministry of Defense envisages an investment of around Rs.15,000 crore over five to seven years, subject to approvals and clearances, and is expected to generate around 45,000 direct and indirect jobs.  

 At its meeting on Friday, the SIPB cleared 10 IT and futuristic technology projects involving an investment of Rs.526.25 crore and projected employment for 8,896 people, according to the State government.  The projects are focused on Visakhapatnam, Amaravati and Kadapa, with the government seeking to position the State as a hub for IT, AI and quantum computing.In Visakhapatnam, Muthoot Fincorp Ltd received approval for a Rs.100-crore integrated AI and technology training hub, expected to employ 2,400 people.

 Deloitte was cleared to establish a 2,500-seat operations centre with an investment of Rs.43.75 crore. In Kadapa, AIL Dixon Technologies Pvt Ltd was granted an extension of its policy incentive timeline for its Rs.70-crore electronics manufacturing unit, supporting 300 jobs. Amaravati is proposed to emerge as a deep-tech hub with projects spanning quantum computing, photonics and biotechnology. Srsti Quantum Pvt Ltd has proposed a quantum computing hardware, nanofabrication research and manufacturing facility, while Quantum Codon Pvt Ltd plans a Rs.167-crore quantum AI-driven biotechnology innovation campus for drug discovery.

 Other projects include Arohak Technologies’ Rs.62-crore photonics quantum research centre, TriQuanta Labs’ Rs.35-crore quantum innovation centre and hardware manufacturing unit, Photoncore Systems’ Rs.9-crore manufacturing centre for photonic quantum computing systems, and Veridata Health’s Rs.4.5-crore engineering hub for a quantum-enabled clinical operating system.

 Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh would be at the forefront of India’s ambition to become one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations by 2047. The proposed shipyard will have a design capacity of1.2 million Gross Tonnage a year, with scope for expansion, and will build tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, LNG carriers and other specialized vessels.