Ashok Leyland has announced the beginning of construction of its bus plant in Andhra Pradesh. The ground breaking ceremony marked the beginning
of work on a greenfield factory which will be the first Ashok Leyland plant in Andhra Pradesh. Situated in Model Industrial Park, Mallavalli Village in Krishna District, the auspicious ceremony was performed in the presence of Mr. Nara Chandrababu Naidu, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, and Mr. Vinod K. Dasari, Managing Director & CEO of Ashok Leyland.
Part of the fast upcoming manufacturing hub in Krishna district of the State and located 40 km from Vijayawada, this plant will be spread over 75 acres and will include latest technologies to deliver the quality standards of the Ashok Leyland brand. The plant, once fully completed, would be able to produce 4,800 buses per annum and would also have a state-of-the-art learning center and an advanced service training center.
The setting up of this plant will help increase the skill level of the employable workforce in Andhra Pradesh and will have the potential to employ over 5,000 employees. While it will have the capability to make the entire range of buses of the 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.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nara Chandrababu Naidu observed: “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.”
Mr. Dheeraj G. Hinduja, Chairman, Ashok Leyland, said: “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.”
Sharing his views on the upcoming plant, Mr. Vinod Dasari said: “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 strategically located to meet the demands of Center, East and Southern India markets.”