Government Confirms Krishnapatnam as Greenfield Smart City Under National Programme

What the Lok Sabha Reply Stated

In response to Lok Sabha Question No. 275 on 21 July 2026, the Centre confirmed that three greenfield industrial smart cities are underway in Andhra Pradesh—Krishnapatnam, Orvakal, and Kopparthy—among several major infrastructure and industrial initiatives in the state. The official reply made a distinction between the ₹6,962 crore worth of DPIIT/Invest India-tracked projects and the broader range of industrial and infrastructure initiatives progressing in Andhra Pradesh.

Krishnapatnam Industrial Area: Scale and Scope

The Krishnapatnam Industrial Node, also known as KRIS City, is a greenfield project spanning 11,098 acres to be developed in three phases, with a planned Phase I activation area spanning approximately 2,500 acres. Phase 1 is targeting completion of 2,500 acres by February 2027.

The project spans 10,834 acres across Chillakuru and Kota mandals, with infrastructure development including roads, bridges, and utilities progressing rapidly.

The Krishnapatnam Node has an investment potential of approximately ₹10,500 crore with employment generation of 1 lakh jobs.

Location and Strategic Advantages

Krishnapatnam Industrial Area operates under the Chennai–Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC). The site offers world-class infrastructure, plug-and-play facilities, and seamless connectivity via NH-16, Krishnapatnam Port, and Tirupati Airport.

Large plots ranging from 100 acres to 200 acres are being developed to attract port-based industries, including logistics hubs and warehouses linked to the nearby Krishnapatnam Port.

Development Progress and Timeline

In early 2026, official updates identified the node among projects nearing completion, with the first phase targeted for completion by end of 2026. In January 2025, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the Krishnapatnam Node.

Work on the first phase of KRIS City is progressing over 2,500 acres with an estimated investment of ₹1,100 crore, with major infrastructure works targeted for completion before the end of 2026.

The National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) has released ₹531.36 crore of the ₹2,139.43 crore allocated for Phase 1 trunk infrastructure.

Governance and Implementation

The project is being developed by Krishnapatnam Industrial City Development Limited under a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed by the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) and the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), with equal equity participation from centre and state.

NICDC's mission is to foster economic growth by developing smart cities, industrial clusters, and multi-modal logistics hubs that integrate manufacturing, transport, and technology. The corporation is dedicated to creating ecosystems that are business-friendly and sustainable, offering plug-and-play infrastructure and seamless connectivity.

Broader Context: Three AP Nodes and National Programme

Andhra Pradesh is the only state in the country to host industrial nodes under three separate Industrial Corridors. Alongside Krishnapatnam, Orvakal Node spans 2,621 acres with projected investment of ₹12,000 crore and employment for approximately 45,000 people, while Kopparthy Node (2,596 acres) is expected to attract ₹8,800 crore with job creation for approximately 54,000 individuals.

The Government of India approved 12 new industrial projects in August 2024, spanning approximately 10,512 hectares strategically located across six major industrial corridors and forming a transformative network across India's Golden Quadrilateral.

Vision for KRIS City as Self-Sustaining Ecosystem

Over a 20-year horizon, KRIS City is expected to support nearly 4.67 lakh workers and 2.91 lakh residents, backed by a projected investment of ₹37,500 crore. Housing for all income groups, educational institutions, skill development centres, research hubs, tourism, and recreation zones form a core part of the blueprint.

KRIS City aims to attract sectors like textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, and engineering, with the project projected to draw ₹10,500 crore in manufacturing investments.