Nagpur: A Rs2,100 crore beverages and snacks plant is proposed to be set up in Arvi (Wardha) by FMCG giant Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL). Officials of the beverages company and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) signed an MoU in the presence of chief minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai on Thursday.
The groundbreaking ceremony will be performed in April next year and 550 direct jobs will be created in the state-of-the-art facility, according to information provided by the CM’s office. The company has proposed annual production of 50 million cases of soft drinks, 15 million cases of packaged water, 15,000 tonnes of snacks and 30,000 tonnes of dairy products. Obviously, the raw material will be sourced from nearby areas, translating into huge earning potential for our farmers and small industries. ” The company plans to build the facility on about 125 acres.
This project will cover dairy products, bottled drinks and even manufacturing of packaged namkeen products,” said Wankhede. On what new domains the company will foray into, Wankhede said, “As per the proposal they have given us, even bottles will be made here, which is something they are doing for the first time. Wankhede, who was present during the MoU signing, said, “This will give a major boost to Vidarbha’s economy. Sources said local representatives had been persuading VBL officials to set up a plant in Arvi for the last four months. Samruddhi expressway provides seamless connectivity,” Wankhede said, explaining the logistic advantage offered by Arvi. Wankhede said the site for the proposed plant is located just a few kilometres from Samruddhi Expressway, which can eventually link the company to Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.
VBL is among PepsiCo’s largest franchise bottlers outside the US for carbonated soft drinks, juices, sports drinks and packaged drinking water. Sumit Wankhede, BJP MLA from Arvi, claimed the proposed plant would be the biggest ever set up by VBL in India. “In terms of investment, this will be around four times bigger than their other plants. The company officials scouted locations in Nagpur district as well, but finally selected MIDC land in Arvi, they added. “Their main markets are Mumbai, central India and Nashik. They also have a lot of export-oriented products, so they need facilities with good connectivity to a port. The project is expected to be completed in two years.