Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has approved several textiles projects in the state, including setting up Tarakeswar Textile Park in Sullurpet mandal of Nellore district. The project will cost Rs 337 crore and production will begin by 2017.

This was announced by Naidu at a meeting of the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB) in Vijayawada.

The chief minister also disclosed that Vasantha Industries Cotton Spinning Mills has secured permission to expand its unit in Thimmapuram of Guntur district. The expansion project would involve an investment of Rs 159 crore. In addition, Texport Industries will invest Rs 101 crore for setting up a knitting mill and garment production in Visakhapatnam.

At the meeting, Naidu also asked the officials concerned to take necessary measures for the upcoming textile hubs in four districts of the state—Anantapur, Guntur, Kurnool and Visakhapatnam.

Stressing that industrial growth rate of the state needs to be improved, he asked the officials to take immediate steps to enhance skills of the youth in the state, so that skilled manpower can be readily available to industries.