Complete four ports and four fishing harbours by December next year, Naidu tells officials

Andhra Pradesh Logistics Corporation to boost infrastructure development with new ports, airports, and fishing harbours under Chief Minister Naidu.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has announced that the Andhra Pradesh Logistics Corporation will be set up soon to realise the goals of developing roads, ports, airports, and fishing harbours in the State. He has also ordered that a plan be drafted to set up heliports in Agency areas to boost tourism.

Reviewing the progress of the under-construction ports and fishing harbours in the State during a meeting held at his camp office at Undavalli on Tuesday, Mr. Naidu asked the officials to complete the first phase of the construction of Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam, and Mulapeta ports, as well as the Kakinada Gateway Port, by December next year.

The first phase of works of the fishing harbours at Juvvaladinne, Nizampatnam, Machilipatnam, and Uppada should be completed at the earliest. The ports and fishing harbours are vital assets of the State and must be put to use swiftly after construction, the Chief Minister said.

He also held discussions with the officials on the operation and maintenance of ports. 

Mr. Naidu suggested that fishing harbours be developed as minor ports in such a way that they do not cause inconvenience to local fishermen and help increase regional income.

Mr. Naidu instructed the officials to begin construction of the new airports proposed in Kuppam, Dagadarthi, Amaravati, and Srikakulam (Palasa). “The State should have at least 20 ports and 14 airports. The State roads should be expanded, keeping the traffic congestion in view, and those should be integrated with the national highways. These developments should be undertaken under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model,” the Chief Minister said.

The officials informed the Chief Minister that 43.25% of the first phase work of the Machilipatnam port had been completed, and the project was expected to be completed by November next year.