Aurangabad, June 27 (ANI): Known for its tourist attractions of Ajanta and Ellora caves, Aurangabad in Maharashtra is fast emerging as a favoured destination for breweries with many companies establishing their units in the city.

Presently, there are six beer industries in the city that produce 130 million litres of beer, which is sufficient for the demand in Maharashtra state.

Reasons for Aurangabad emerging, as a major beer-producing centre include its central location and the silica free water source of Jayakwadi dam built across the Godavari River.

“There are two reasons for spurt in number of beer industries in Aurangabad. One is water quality available. Whatever, minerals required for beer, a good quality beer that is all available in Godavari backwater and second Aurangabad is a central place of Maharashtra. From here we can approach all of south, west, east of Maharashtra very easily,” said Rakesh Sharma, General Manager, Lila Sons, a brewery in Aurangabad.

As compared to previous year, revenue generation from breweries has also increased.

“This year 22.6 million of beer boxes have been dispatched by which the government has generated revenue of around rupees 3.8 billion. While last year revenue of around rupees 3.3 billion was generated. This means that we have exceeded the last year’s revenue by rupees 500 million,” said Vishwanath Indise, Deputy Commissioner of the state excise, Aurangabad.

Indian beer industry is witnessing a steady growth and according to a forecast it is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 17.2 per cent till 2011. (ANI)