Sri City: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 11:56, 4 May 2009
Sri City or SriCity is a Planned World-Class Integrated Township located about 55km North of Chennai on NH5 along the border of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Tamil Nadu (TN) States of India. Much of Sri City area is in Chittoor District and a smaller area along the NH5 is in Nellore District of AP.
The Integrated Township includes various Zones: Industrial, Residential, Educational, Commercial and Recreational.
The Industrial Zone includes a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for export oriented industry and Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) for local industry). It is a business destination for global companies to establish Manufacturing, Services and Trading operations in India. Sri City is administered by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructural Corporation (APIIC) Industrial Area Local Authority (IALA). The Government appointed Officer Controls the Planning and Building approval processes, including the maintenance of the Infrastructure within the Industrial Park.
The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (aka SHAR), India’s Satellite/Rocket launching centre is located at Sriharikota, on the eastern side of the Pulicat Lake which separates Sri City and the Satellite launching station.
Name
Sree or Shree or Sri or Shri is an Indian honorific prefix. It is a title derived from Sanskrit and is applicable to people and Hindu gods. The name ‘Sri City’ is inspired by renowned temple towns in the region, Srikalahasti, Sriperumbudur and Sriharikota. The famous Tirumala (Tirupati) the abode of Lord Sri Venkateshwara (aka Srinivasa, Balaji) is also located in same district.
Location
Sri City is located alongside National Highway-5 which forms part of the Golden Quadrilateral road network, which is the largest express highway road project in India, consisting of four/six lane expressways connecting the major metros of India - Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. Currently a four-lane national highway, this roadway is now being upgraded to a six-lane expressway. A major part of this 1,533-kilometers National Highway passes through Andhra Pradesh and Orissa along the east coast which ensures excellent road connectivity to northern India. The connectivity is further enhanced by the suburban rail services operating from Chennai. The hinterland is served by nearly 30 suburban rail services, to and from Chennai every day and provides access to all suburbs of Chennai.
Chennai Port on the east coast is 65 Km from Sri City. Strategically located and well connected with major parts of the world, it is today a major Indian Port. It has direct services to China, Europe and US.
Ennore Port, situated on the Coromandal coast, is about 24 km north of Chennai Port and 40 km south of Sri City. It is the 12th major port in India.
Krishnapatnam Port Located 65 Km to the north of Sri City, on the east coast of India in Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh, this port comes with aggressive up-gradation plans by the Andhra Pradesh Government.
History
The District has a rich and diversified history. There are hundreds of monuments, memorial rocks and memorials that remind us of the rich history The Historical Memorials date back to over 1000 years and each of them present the rich cultural diversity and art of sculpture in it.
The history of the district, which was carved out in 1905 from then Cuddapah, Nellore and North Arcot districts, has been shaped by the ups and downs of several Dravidian kingdoms. It was a British military post until 1884. Back to 1000 years when the region was dominated by Vijayanagara Empire and is linked with the Aravidu dynasty. For the complete History Click Here [1]
Languages
Being the border town, both Telugu and Tamil are spoken. Telugu is official language of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil is the official language in Tamil Nadu. While local languages are spoken by the workers and other junior staff, most of the employees speak English and are bi or tri lingual.
Demographics
Sri City is located in Chitoor District. The Revenue Village/Ward wise population according to Census 2001 is 252,654. Town has a sex ratio of 1000:985. The literacy rate of the town is 90.60%.
Climate
From December to January the weather is dry and cool. The average rainfall is 908.1mm. Rainfall decreases from east to west. As per 1992-93 statistics south-west monsoon accounted for 278mm. North east monsoon for 354mm.
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C)
- Summer: Max 43.C, Min 30.C. (116.9F - 81.56F Approx.)
- Winter: Max 29.C, Min 21.C. (78.84F - 57F Approx.)
- Rainfall: 908.1 mm Seasonal
Geography
Sri City is about 10km x 10km (100 Sq Km) in Size, though all the area within the grid does not belong to Sri City. It includes the neighboring villages, water bodies and state forest lands. The terrain slopes gradually from an elevation of 30 meters at the South West corner and about 7 meters towards the North East corner of Sri City. A Creek (Karipeti Kalava) flows through the land passing through a number of Lakes on the way before joining Pulicat Lake North of Tada. There is a state forest on the western boundary.
Soils
The soils of the area can be broadly classified as 1. Latosolic developed on the coastal Laterite 2. Yellow Podzolic soils formed on the sandy sheet of alluvium and 3. The transition located at the contact of Laterite and Alluvium is Podozolic – Latosolic soil.
Latosols: Soils formed due to lateralization are called as ‘Latosols’ or ‘Latosolic soils’. This will have local accumulation of ‘iron’ and ‘alumina’ pockets. In fact, it is the iron rich pockets that contribute to the building material. This becomes hard and compact on exposure to drying. A thin regolith forms on the laterite. Latosols with the characteristic red color are seen on the laterite in the area under study. This covers nearly 30% of the area.
Yellow Pedozolic soils: These are developed on the sandy parent material, as noticed on the eastern part of the area under report. As the name indicates, the color of the soil is yellowish. This occupies nearly 40% of the area.
Pedozolic – Latsolic soils: This is the transition between the Latosols and Pedozolic soil. It is mostly observed in the vicinity of the contact between the laterite and the alluvium. This accounts to 30% coverage.
Flora.
Trees – Red Sanders Wood (Pterocarpus Santalinus) is the specialty of this area. Red sanders wood is the heartwood of Pterocarpus santalinus, Linne filius (N.O. Leguminosoe), a small tree indigenous to Southern India and the Philippine Islands. During the Middle Ages it was classed as a spice and used for culinary purposes, and at one time it was supposed to possess medicinal properties. It’s also called Raktachandan. The literal meaning of Raktachandan is blood colored sandalwood. This kind of wood has a special and unique rust red color and it is used to carve out a number of products. The red sandalwood is also used for carving panels, framework and traditional dolls.
Mesophytic type of flora like Syzygium cumini (Neredu), Pongamia ghaira (Kanuga) and large trees of Terminalia arjuna (Erramaddi and Tellamaddi) are found. Large trees of mango, Phoenix sylvestris (lta) and different types of grass along water courses are also found.
Fauna
A number of species among birds exist in this district. Among the birds, the large grey babbler (Turdoides malcolmi), the large grey shrike (Lanius excubitor), the king crows, mynas and crows, bee-eaters, hoopoes, swifts, vultures, eagles, kites, owls, sand grouse, quails, partridges, green pigeons, pigeons and peacock are also found in the district. The commonly found herbivora present in the district include sambur (Rusa unicolor), black buck (Antelope cervicapse), chital (Axis Axis), wild sheep - (Civis cycloceros), mouse deer (Memina indica), hare (Lapium finidus) and rabbit.
Transportation
Air: Chennai International Airport (MAS) is 90 minute (70km) drive from/to Sri City, and Tirupathi Airport is also 90 minute drive.
Chennai International Airport is the third largest international gateway into the country and the third busiest airport in India after Mumbai and Delhi. It is the main air hub for south India, currently handling over 10 million passengers and serving more than 50 different airlines. It is also an important cargo terminus for the country, after Mumbai. The international cargo-handling facilities at Chennai have a turnaround time of 24 hours.
Rail: Sri City is served by two Railway Stations, Tada on the North and Arambakkam on the South. Express Trains connecting Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkota, and Delhi stop at Sulurpet which is 15km away from Sri City. Mumbai bound trains stop at Renigunta. The hinterland is served by nearly 30 suburban rail services, to and from Chennai every day and provides access to all suburbs of Chennai.
Road: Travelling to Sri City is made possible by number of buses (TNSTC, APSRTC and other private transport providers), and taxis.
Economy
Moving with times, Sri City is on its way to becoming a Hub for Large and Medium Scale industries.
Industries such as Light Engineering, Electronics / Hardware, Aerospace, Apparel & Fashion, Renewable Energy, Biotech/ Pharma, Leather Products, Logistics and Warehousing, Railway wagon workshop, IT/ITES/BPO, Sports & Toys, Other Eco-friendly Industries.
Educational Institutions
A total of 39 professional colleges are present in Chitoor District with 17 engineering, 12 medical, 2 law colleges. In addition, there are 52 graduate level colleges with 28745 scholars and 142 junior colleges with 80905 students ( Source - MROs of Concerned Mandals). The number of high schools in Chitoor District (2004-2005) is 750 with 248171 students.
Tamil Nadu has -
252 Engineering Colleges, 189 IT education institutes, 202 polytechnics, 526 Industrial training institutes (ITI).
80,000 + Engineers and over 3,00,000 Science, Commerce and Arts graduates pass-out annually.
Andhra Pradesh has –
240 Engineering Colleges, 272 general colleges, 103 polytechnics, 72 government Industrial training institutes (ITI).
Nearly 86,000 Engineering students graduate annually. About 250,000 Science, Commerce and Arts students graduate annually.
Schools in and around Sri City
| Distance in Km | No of Schools | No of Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tada | 1 | 5 | 1 |
| Arambakam | 3 | 4 | - |
| Varadhaiah Palem | 4 | 3 | - |
| Satyavedu | 8 | 10 | 3 |
| Sulurpet | 13 | 17 | 10 |
| Gummidipoondi | 15 | 9 | - |
| Kavarapetai | 18 | 2 | 3 |
| Srikalahastri | 40 | 23 | 13 |
| Red Hills | 40 | 39 | 4 |
| Gudur | 65 | 27 | 7 |
| Nellore | 95 | 188 | 62 |
Places of Interest
The district boasts few of the finest ancient/modern temples of the country.
The Tirupati - Tirumala Temple of Lord Sri Venkateshwara (Balaji) The abode of the 'Kaliyuga' deity Lord Venkateswara popularly known as Balaji, Tirupati has for centuries remained a destination divine and this feeling grows on one as one goes round the various temples and spots of natural beauty surrounding this major town. In fact, the government has proposed to give special status to the town on the lines of the Vatican. Lying at the southern tip of the Eastern ghats in Andhra Pradesh, the district has a number of perennial water falls and vast forest cover.
Nestled among high Eastern Ghats, Tirumala can be reached only after covering the range of hills. The presiding deity Lord Venkateswara is also referred to as Lord of the Seven Hills. Patronized by Pallavas, Pandyas, Cholas, Vijayanagar kings and later by the king of Mysore, the temple finds a mention in the Sastras and Puranas. The main temple is a magnificent example of the fine Indian temple architecture. Both the Vimana over the sanctum sanctorum and the Dhwajasthambam (temple flag-post) are plated with gold.
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami Temple, Srinivasa Mangapuram
Sri Kalyana Venkateswaraswami temple is at Srinivasa Mangapuram situated 12 km to the west of Tirupati. According to legend, Lord Venkateswara stayed here after his marriage with Sri Padmavathi Devi, before proceeding to Tirumala. Annual Brahmotsavam and Sakshatkara Vaibhavam are celebrated in grand manner.
Sri Padmavathi Ammavari, Tiruchanoor (Alamelumangapuram)
The Temple of Sri Padmavathi Ammavari is located at Tiruchanoor is also called Alamelumangapuram after the local deity. Tiruchanoor is a 5 Km drive from Tirupati.
Alamelumangamma is actually the incarnation of Lord Mahalakshmi. Alamelumangamma came the river banks of River Swarnamukhi when Lord Mahavishnu, in the avatar of Sri Venkateswara showed his reverence towards the sage Bhrigu Maharshi who kicked Vishnu with his leg. Alamelumangamma stayed in the Paatala lokam for 12 years and came out in the 13th year in a Golden Lotus.
The other temples in the temple compound are: Sri Krishnaswamy Temple, Sri Sundara Rajaswamivari Temple and Sri Suryanarayana Swamivari Temple
Srikalahasti Temple in South India, occupies a place of eminence among the holy Siva kshetras. The temple is called as Dakshina Kailasam located on the banks of the river Swarnamukhi. The architecture of Srikalahasti Temple is extraordinary; it has three massive Gopurams which are breathtaking. Another striking feature of the temple is its huge Mantapam with hundred pillars.
The deities worshiped in Srikalahasti Temple are Srikalahastiswara and his spouse Gnanaprasunambika. The Chola rulers constructed the main temple. In 11th century A.D., the Chola king Kuluthungal built the Caligopuram. While in the 12th century AD Veeranarashimha Yadavaraya contributed to the construction of the temple by constructing the compound wall or Prakara and the four Gopurams. In 1516 A. D., the great Chola king Krishnadevaraya built the hige 100 pillared Mandapa. The inscriptions on the temple inform that it was built by the great Pallava kings and folowed by the Tondaman Chakravarthi (Pandyam Kings).
Narayanavaram is one of the holy villages in Andhra Pradesh. There is a famous temple of god of Kaliyuga, Venkateswara Swamy. Narayanavanam is the place where lord Venkateswara swamy married goddess Padmavati. The proof is also available in the temple. There are some more famous temples in Narayanavaram like Sorakaya Swami temple, Parasareswara swamy temple, Renuka parameswari temple, Aghastheswarswamy temple, Avanakshamma temple, Lord Narasimha swamy in singiri perumal kona and more. Narayanavanam is a temple town.
Parshwanatha Jain Temple, Chandragiri
The ancient Parshwanatha Jain temple is related with the Bhagwan Parshwanatha(11 C AD). The Idol of the Bhagwan in the Padmasana posture is about 4 feet high. Another idol of Bhagwan Parshwanatha dating to 12 C AD in the Kayotsarga posture flanked with Daranendra Yaksha and Padmavathi Yakshi is seen at this place.
Alamelumanga Temple, Tiruchanur
The Alamelumanga temple at Tiruchanur is about four kms (2 miles) from Tirupati Railway station and is a must visit place. In fact, many feel that a visit to the Lord Sri Venkateswara Temple in Tirumala is incomplete without taking the darshan of Goddess Alamelumanga � the consort of Lord Venkateswara. This temple town is at the banks of River Swarnamukhi.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna Mandir, Tirupati
The Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple is one of the modern temples in the Temple town of Tirupati. The temple is the best place in the town to learn about regions and get spiritual understanding about India with a special focus on Shri Krishna. Recital and discussions on Bhagavad-Gita tells us how one should live as according to Lord Krishna. Poojas and Bhajans are regularly held at the temple.
Kanipakam Vinayak Temple, Kanipakam
Many visitors to this temple say that the this 11th century temple is truly a classical hindu temple as well as a tourist location that any tourist visit this part of the country can miss visiting. The Kanipakam Vinayak Temple has the swayam-bhu idol of Lord Vinayaka (Ganesh).
Sports & Recreation
As a small town it is steeped in history and culture. The town is located at a distance of 55km from the Chennai metropolis. This town is accessible via a number of means of transportation. Its is a well-known travel destination among domestic and foreign tourists. The archaeological treasures unearthed from the town and its adjoining areas occupy the pride of place at different museums. The Chandragiri Fort, the erstwhile capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, is also a historical site near the town. Its is also known for its architectural marvels including the Sri Kalahasti Temple, the Kanipakkam Temple and so on. The ancient temples dedicated to Lakshminarayan and Mukkantisvara are also located at Kalavagunta village.
The Chandragiri Fort -The Rangini Mahal, the palace of the Sultan, is also one of the tourist attractions among visitors. The town can also serve as a center for touring adjoining areas like Chandragiri, Gurramkonda historical site, Ardhagiri and so on. All these places of interest are well connected to the town via road.
The town of Madanapalle is at a short distance. This town houses the Horsely Hills, a favorite hill resort among tourists. The height of the hill is 1266 meters. An English Civil officer called Horsily made this place his summer resort in 1870. The guest houses built by him are still here. There is a 7km ghat road.
A trip to this hill station is sure to be a pleasant experience for all. Vacationers can also explore the Yelampalli forest or arrange for a picnic near the waterfalls at Kailashnath Kona. The district offers an emerald landscape with fields of grains and mango trees, peanut plantations and sugarcane fields. The town is also in close proximity to the wildlife sanctuaries of South India, so it is also a favorite spot among nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Tada is a relatively little known tourist destination. It is known for its waterfall (Locally called as Ubbalamadugu Falls), hillocks and greenery.
Sanitarium: Sanitarium is at a distance of 13kms from Madanapalli. It is at a height of 7-10 meters from sea level. It is a health resort. The TB Sanitarium is one of the biggest of such centers in the State.
Rishivalley: Rishivalley is 6kms away from Madanapalli. It was established in 1950. This valley is adjacent to Rishikonda and a residential school is established here. It is recognized by the Government of India. Nagari : It is on the River of Kusaphali banks. Once upon a time kusa or darbha was plenty here. So the river got the name Kusaphali. In the 55 km radius around Sri City, there are approximately 71 clinics and 26 hospitals with 214 bed facilities.
External links
- www.sricity.in WEBSITE
- SEZ INDIA - List of SEZ in India
- Export Promotion Council for EOUs & SEZ Units, Min of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India
- CHITOOR ONLINE, Official Website of Chitoor District - Sri City(SEZ) Ground-breaking Ceremony 08-08-08
- BUSINESS STANDARD - Work on the SEZ, coming up in Tada, to begin from Aug 9
- THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE - An SEZ that will have the best of TN and AP
- THE FINANCIAL EXPRESS – Multi-product SEZ at Nellore
- THE HINDU - Sri City launches SEZ
- THE HINDU BUSINESS LINE- Sri City announces launch of SEZ
- SEZ TIMES - Sri City announces South India‘s largest multi-product SEZ