ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT CHIMAKURTHY GALAXY GRANITE

The District is spread over an area of 14,322 km2 (5,530 sq mi) and had a population of 22,88,026 and it is bordered by Bapatla District in the north, Kurnool district in the west, Mahaboobnagar District in the northwest, Potti Sriramulu Nellore and Y.S.R. Kadapa Districts in the south and the Bay of Bengal in the East. Ongole is the District Head Quarters and some of the prominent towns are Kanigiri, Giddaluru, Markapur, Podili. National Highway No.5 connecting Kolkata and Chennai are passing through the District. Two broad gauge railways lines connecting Vijayawada – Guduru and Guntur – Guntakal passing through eastern and western parts of the District respectively.

PRAKASAM DISTRICT CHIMAKURTHY GALAXY GRANITE

ONE DISTRICT ONE PRODUCT CHIMAKURTHY GRANITE (BLACK GALAXY)

CHIMAKURTHY GRANITE: “Galaxy Granite” is unique and world famous which is available only in Andhra Pradesh.

INTRODUCTION:

The world famous Galaxy Granite deposit is located in Chimakurthy, R.L.Puram, Budawada and Devarapalem villages of Chimakurthy Mandal, Prakasam District. The quarry zone lies in between 23rd to 26th KM stone on either side of Ongole – Nandyala State High Way road. The active quarry zone falls in Survey of India Toposheet No. 57 M/14 and lies in between the N15O35I15II – 15O35I20II North latitude and 79O48I20II – 79O50I35II East longitudes.

Geologically the Galaxy Granite body is Norite/Gabbro rock with golden coloured Bronzite specks, belonging to Chimakurthy Anorthosite – Gabbro plutonic complex which intruded in between the older Sargurs and Easternghat mobile belt of Archean age. On cutting and polishing the rock appears as “Star studded sky on moon less night” and due to this peculiar aesthetic property the name Black Galaxy Granite is aptly suitable and it commands good demand in the domestic and international stone market.This Galaxy Granite plays its major role in Mineral Revenue in the District which is about 75% to 80% of the total District Mineral Revenues. There is still scope to develop the exploitation of Galaxy Granite from reserve forest areas. Further, there is also very good scope for establishment of Gang-saw cutting and polishing units in the District for processing the available Granite deposits. It is also desirable to study the feasibility of establishing small scale units to manufacture tiles of 6‛X4‛ from the granite waste which can be used for panelling / cladding purpose.

History & Significance Quarrying Activity at Chimakurthy:

It is submitted that, Quarry Lease was granted in the year 1983 for the 1st time in favour of Sri K. Bala Krishna Reddy, initially he tried to promote the material under the trade name of SHOBHA material, but there was no success. Later on the lease was transferred in favour of M/s. Yak Granite Industries (P) Ltd., and they promoted the material under the Trade name of “Galaxy Granite” and got success. The working activity in this area was started in the year 1987 by M/s. Yak Granite Industries (P) Ltd., (M/s. Enterprising Enterprises of Chennai) and after that market was established in domestic as well as international due to its aesthetic look. At present there are 135 quarry leases existing for Black Galaxy Granite covering a total extent of 452.784 hectares, duly providing employment for about 10,000 members directly and 25,000 members indirectly.

Presently the quarry leaseholders are using Pneumatic and Hydraulic drilling for cutting of rock mass with the help of latest equipment like Tamrock, Ranger machines etc., which are having dust boxes for collection of dust generated during drilling. At present the quarry operations are going on at a depth of about 40 Mts to 60 Mts., to reach the deep point number of benches were formed for movement of vehicles like Poclains, Dumpers, Tippers etc. The quarrying operations for Black Galaxy Granite in Chimakurthy area is highly sophisticated as the lease holders are deploying world class machinery and working in systematic way to minimize the Mineral wastage, dust pollution, sound pollution and accidents. Further, to avoid wastage of mineral due to blasting the leaseholders are using wire-saw machines in all the quarries.

DETAILS OF STATE NODAL OFFICER, NODAL DEPARTMENT AND DEDICATED TEAM FOR ODOP:-

SMT. K. SUNITHA, IAS.,
PRINCIPAL SECRETARY, HANDLOOMS AND TEXTILES,
GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH,
AP SECRETARIAT, VELAGAPUDI IS THE STATE NODAL OFFICER FOR ODOP.

AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, HANDLOOMS AND TEXTILES, PRAKASAM DISTRICT, ONGOLE.
EMAIL ID: dhto.prakasam.hnt@gmail.comCONTACT NO. 98484 83727, PRAKASAM DISTRICT.

DISTRICT MINES AND GEOLOGY OFFICER, ONGOLE,
CONTACT NO. 72073 17855,
GOVERNMENT OFFICES COMPLEX, OLD RIMS, ONGOLE ARE THE DEPARTMENTS AND DEDICATED TEAM FOR ODOP.

DEDICATED HELP LINE OR CALL CENTRE / SUPPORT DESK FOR ODOP

1. Sri Varada Venkata Ramana, Assistant Geologist, O/o. District Mines and Geology Office, Ongole.
2. Contact No. 9652530292
3. Email ID dmgoongole@gmail.com

ADDRESS: GOVERNMENT OFFICES COMPLEX BLOCK NOS. 58,59 OLD RIMS,
ONGOLE.

Abstract of the Black Galaxy Granite Quarry leases existing in the jurisdiction of the District Mines and Geology Officer:

Mineral Revenue and Dispatch particulars for the past 04 years:

Reasons for shortfall

Due to recession in China market, increase in freight rates for shipment. many of the lease holder have decreased their production pertaining to Granite (Black Galaxy). A short fall of 244090.00 Cbm in production when compared to last year production, the corresponding Mineral revenue involves 138.52 Cr. Short fall in achievement upto March 2023.

Safety Measures

The quarry lease holders are taking top priority for providing Safety Measures in their quarry leases under the direct supervision of Mines Safety Department.

Potentiality:

There are 600 Granite cutting and polishing units for making slabs and tiles nearby at Chimakurthy, S.N.Padu, Ongole and Maddipadu Mandals. Through the seigniorage fee, Government is getting 130 to 135 Crores per annum. Besides these small scale units, there is a lot of scope to develop Gang-saw size cutting and polishing limits. There is suf- ficient production of Galaxy Granite to feed large scale units. Further, M/s. A.P.M.D.C. Ltd., has also entered to produce Galaxy Granite in a big way. By es- tablishing large scale cutting and polishing units, there is a scope for not only employment generation but also value added products. Further there is a lot of Granite waste lying in the Granite Quarries which can be utilized for manufac- ture of tiles of 6‛ X 4 ‚ etc. for cladding purposes. For establishing Gang saw size plant, the investment may be of the order of Rs. 10 to 15 Crores.

Employment potential:

Exploitation is essentially by the open cast, semi mechanized method of working. On an average, 9,500 to 10,000 skilled / un skilled labourers are employed to carry out the Quarrying operations and equal no. of labour is depending on the Granite Cutting and Polishing Units.

Incentives to Granite Cutting& Polishing Units:

The Government of Andhra Pradesh encourage the Granite Cutting and Polishing unit holders taking all initiatives and to enhance the slabs and Tiles marketing in the country giving the following Incentives:

The Government Andhra Pradesh vide GO Ms No.58, Ind.& Comm(M.II) Dept., dt.23-08-2022 – Re-introduction of Slab system for collection of Seig. Fee on the granite blocks consumed at processing plants from the Stone Cutting and Polishing Industry on voluntary basis. The Details as showing below:

Export of Granite Blocks / Slabs:

It is submitted that, Black Galaxy Granite blocks is being quarried at Chimakurthy attracts International Market and are being exported to European Countries, China, Bangladesh and Vietnam etc., through Krishnapatnam port which attracts Foreign exchange thereby Nations GDP will increase.

District Exporters Meeting held at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Bhavan near Collectorate, Ongole.

Establishment of SEZ:

It is submitted that, based on Black Galaxy Granite special Economic zone exclusively for Granite Cutting and Polishing Units (Gangsaw Units) established at Gundlapalli Growth center, Maddipadu Mandal, Prakasam District.

GANGSAW MACHINE

MULTIWIRE MACHINE. NOW EVERYONE IS USING THIS MACHINE ONLY

POLISHING MACHINE

ACCESSORIES MADE WITH OF BLACK GALAXY GRANITE:

BLACK GALAXY GRANITE SLAB:

OTHER ALLIED PRODUCTS FROM GRANITE (BLACK GALAXY), CHIMAKURTHY, PRAKASAM DISTRICT:

Granite (Black Galaxy) interior temple:

GARDEN TEMPLE MAIN DOOR:

GARDEN SOFA SET

TEAPOY ALONG WITH YOGA SHEET:

LIVING ROOM BUDDHA INTERIOR DESIGN

INTERIOR STAIRCASE

KITCHEN INTERIOR DESIGN WITH SINK AND FAUCET VECTOR