New NIFT Campus Planned in Amaravati to Revitalize Handloom Sector
The Andhra Pradesh government is establishing a new NIFT campus in Amaravati as part of a 10,000 crore investment strategy. The initiative aims to revitalize handloom and textile sectors through infrastructure development, financial support for weavers, and global expansion for local handicrafts.
Highlights
- •A new 10-acre NIFT campus will be established in Sakhamuru, Amaravati.
- •The 2024–29 Textile Policy targets 10,000 crore in investments and 200,000 new jobs.
- •Free power is provided to over 50,000 weaving families to reduce production costs.
- •Lepakshi handicrafts are expanding globally, with a new outlet at Rajahmundry Airport.
The Andhra Pradesh administration has unveiled plans to establish a National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) campus in Amaravati. This project, which will occupy 10 acres of land in Sakhamuru, forms a central pillar of the state's broader initiative to revitalize its local handloom, textile, and handicrafts industries. S. Savita, the Minister for Handlooms and Textiles, announced these developments while outlining the government’s commitment to providing stable and dignified livelihoods for weavers and local artisans.
Strategic Growth for Textiles and Handlooms
The state government is aggressively pushing its Textiles, Apparel and Garments Policy 2024–29. This ambitious framework aims to attract total investments reaching 10,000 crore, with an expected employment generation for over two lakh individuals. Recent progress is already evident, as five major agreements finalized during the CII Summit in Visakhapatnam have secured 4,700 crore in investment commitments. To further support the workforce, the upcoming Netanna Bharosa scheme is designed to enhance social and economic security for those in the sector.
The government's support framework includes substantial financial and infrastructure backing. Currently, 50,565 weaving families are benefiting from free electricity provisions—specifically 200 units for those in handlooms and 500 units for powerloom operations—an initiative representing a 150-crore investment. Furthermore, over the last two years, handloom cooperatives have been supplied with 246.41 crore worth of yarn. Infrastructure development is also moving forward with the establishment of ten mini handloom clusters and a significant mega cluster in Dharmavaram, alongside planned handloom parks in Uppada and Mangalagiri.
Modernizing Handicrafts and Market Reach
Beyond textile production, the government is focusing on global market penetration for local crafts. The Lepakshi handicraft brand is undergoing a modernization phase, which includes the opening of a new showroom at Rajahmundry Airport and future plans for expansion into international markets. The state has identified 2.05 lakh artisans to receive direct support through enhanced marketing, exhibitions, and specialized sales platforms.
Digital transformation also plays a key role, with APCO achieving significant recognition for its digitization efforts, including the SKOCH Award 2025. With 19 active Lepakshi showrooms and documented sales exceeding 117 crore for handicrafts over the last two years, the focus remains on building sustainable commercial pathways. Additionally, the Khadi and Village Industries Board has facilitated significant job creation through the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), with thousands of new units sanctioned to bolster the state's economic landscape through 2026.
