CM Naidu sets December deadline for phase-1 of Andhra ports project

Amaravati: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to complete Phase-1 works of Machilipatnam, Ramayapatnam and Mulapeta ports as well as the Kakinada Gateway Port by December next year.

He also instructed the completion of Phase-1 construction for the Juvvaladinne, Nizampatnam, Machilipatnam and Uppada fishing harbours within the same timeframe.

Chairing a review meeting at his camp office in Undavalli on Tuesday, the CM emphasised that ports and fishing harbours are valuable economic assets for Andhra Pradesh. He stressed the urgency of completing these projects and bringing them into operational use swiftly. Discussions also included port operations and maintenance.

CM Chandrababu Naidu urged officials to explore the possibility of upgrading fishing harbours into minor ports without causing inconvenience to local fishing communities, thereby enhancing regional incomes.

Heliports in tribal areas

The chief minister directed the immediate initiation of Phase-1 works for new airports in Kuppam, Dagadarthi, Amaravati and Srikakulam (Palasa).

He emphasised the goal of developing at least 20 ports and 14 airports across the state. CM Naidu also instructed the expansion of State roads in accordance with traffic needs, integrating them with national highways through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

He announced plans to establish the Andhra Pradesh Logistics Corporation soon to drive infrastructure growth across roads, ports, airports and fishing harbours. He also asked officials to prepare a plan for setting up heliports in agency areas to promote tourism in tribal regions.

Rapid progress in port and harbour construction, say officials

Officials informed the CM that construction of Machilipatnam Port has reached 43.25 per cent completion and is scheduled for full completion by November next year. Phase 1 of Ramayapatnam Port stands at 63.89 per cent completion, Mulapeta Port at 46.59 per cent, and Kakinada Gateway Port at 29.92 per cent.

Regarding fishing harbours, Juvvaladinne is at 97.72 per cent completion, Nizampatnam at 81.17 per cent, Machilipatnam at 69.20 per cent, and Uppada at 78.94 per cent, as per updates shared with the chief minister.