The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has decided to set up its major product development and assembling unit near here.

Collector Ch. Vijayamohan said on Wednesday that the announcement was a mere formality which would be made after the DRDO board meeting here. The unit would require an investment of Rs. 10,000 crore and an area of 2,500 acres. The Collector said the unit would offer nearly 4,000 jobs to local people. Also, the decision on the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) was in the final stages for which 1,000 acres would be required.

Apart from the two public sector units, the government earmarked 25,000 acres near Orvakal for industrial use through the A.P. Industrial Infrastructure Corporation. He said nearly 15 industrial giants were showing interest in setting up plants near Orvakal maize processing unit and a cement plant by Gujarat Ambuja Exports.

NTPC was also setting up a joint sector power unit at Pinnapuram near Panyam through National Vidyut Vyapar Nigham (NVVN). Mr. Vijayamohan said the IIIT would start functioning next academic with central assistance.