Andhra Pradesh Govt to develop 14 minor ports under PPP mode

Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to develop 14 minor ports in addition to the existing non-major ones, according to the Budget for 2015-16 presented in Legislative Assembly today.
"The Government proposes to develop Machilipatnam port under PPP mode. In addition to the existing non-major ports, Government has decided to develop 14 minor ports under PPP mode," the Budget said.
There is a proposal from the Centre for establishment of a second major port in the State for which the AP Government has consented to provide land as equity, it said.
One more commercial port in private sector at Kakinada is also expected to come up.

Andhra Pradesh has a 975km long coastline with one major port at Visakhapatnam and 14 non-major ports.
The Government is extending support to Airports Authority of India for expansion or modernisation of existing airports at Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Tirupati.

There is a proposal for development of a greenfield airport near Visakhapatnam and the Government proposes to develop no-frills airports in Guntur and Prakasam districts.
The Government also plans to develop regional airports in Chittoor, Nellore and Kurnool districts, the Budget said.
The state-owned Andhra Pradesh Gas Infrastructure Corporation (APGIC) has won four blocks in KG basin along with other consortium partners in the bidding conducted by the Union Government.

Andhra Pradesh Gas Distribution Corporation Ltd (APGDC), a joint venture of APGIC and GAIL Gas Ltd, is keen to participate in the business of CGD (city gas distribution) networks, trunk pipelines, regional grids, CNG and import of LNG and its re-gasification, the Budget said.
The Government is keen to establish an LNG importation terminal in view the growing gap between demand and supply of natural gas, it added.