Mumbai, July 21 -- The Andhra Pradesh government has accorded administrative sanction of Rs 16,385.2 million (mn) for acquisition of 6,248.54 acres for the Phase two expansion of the Ramayapatnam, Mulapeta and Machilipatnam greenfield ports. The investment and infrastructure minister, B.C. Janardhan Reddy, announced that the approvals follow directions from the chief minister to strengthen the state's maritime infrastructure and meet future industrial and logistics requirements. The sanction covers land acquisition and related measures required for second-phase development.
Ramayapatnam Port received the largest allocation, with Rs 8,510 mn sanctioned to acquire 2,924.45 acres for its Phase two development. The Mulapeta greenfield port was allocated Rs 4,405.2 mn to acquire 1,903.39 acres, including salt lands, and the Machilipatnam greenfield port secured Rs 3,470 mn for acquisition of 1,420.70 acres. Rehabilitation and resettlement measures for affected families will be implemented as part of the projects.
The expansion of the three ports is expected to strengthen Andhra Pradesh's coastal infrastructure, enhance cargo-handling capacity and support industrial growth, reinforcing the state's position as a maritime gateway on the east coast. The minister also announced allocation of 63.01 acres for a proposed Nexus Integrated Logistics Park at Chinna Etivakam village in Satyavedu mandal of Tirupati district, to be allotted through the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board on the basis of the company's proposal. The logistics park is expected to attract an investment of Rs 2,550 mn and generate employment for around 1,000 people, providing a boost to logistics, warehousing and allied sectors in the region.
Administrative approvals are intended to facilitate land acquisition, project implementation and associated rehabilitation, and the state government will oversee allotment and regulatory clearances through the maritime board. Officials indicated that the measures aim to meet projected demand from industry and port users and to create capacity for future trade growth along the east coast. The programme forms part of a broader push to expand maritime infrastructure and integrate port and logistics planning at state level.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.