Union Minister Piyush Goyal informed the Rajya Sabha that the joint venture between the Central Government and the Andhra Pradesh government overseeing the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC) would soon issue tenders to select an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the project. Goyal was responding to a query from Congress MP Anil Kumar Mandadi regarding the timeline for the operationalisation of HBIC and the current status of EPC contractor selection. Goyal stated that the project had been announced in 2007 but had seen no progress until 2014. He mentioned that while some announcements were made just before the 2014 elections, the actual approval for the corridor had only come in 2020. He added that the project’s load specifications were formally announced on 28 August 2024. Goyal emphasized that the joint venture with the Andhra Pradesh government would ensure transparent tendering for EPC contractors and that the state government would manage the selection process with complete transparency, as reported by Deccan Herald. The corridor was said to aim at establishing a robust infrastructure network, enhancing industrial connectivity between Hyderabad and Bengaluru. HBIC was expected to serve as a strategic link between two major industrial corridors in the region: the Chennai-Bangalore Industrial Corridor (CBIC) and the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC). This integration was anticipated to catalyze economic development and attract significant investments in various sectors. A key development within HBIC was the proposed Orvakal Node in Kurnool district, spanning approximately 4,742 acres across three land parcels near NH 40, which connects Hyderabad to Chennai. The strategic location of these land parcels was noted to offer unique geographical advantages, ensuring seamless connectivity to major urban and industrial centers. Once operational, the Orvakal Node was expected to become a major industrial hub, fostering job creation and boosting the region's economic growth.