SC seeks Centre's response on development of port in AP

The Supreme Court today sought response from the Centre and Andhra Pradesh government on a plea seeking directions for immediate steps to begin work to develop Dugarajapatnam port in Nellore district of the state.
A bench headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu issued notices to the Ministry of Shipping, Andhra Pradesh government and Visakhapatnam Port Trust on the plea of a former Lok Sabha MP.
The order came while hearing a PIL filed by former Congress MP Chinta Mohan who has stated that the notification to establish Dugarajapatnam port was issued on September 2013 but till date no work has started on the spot.

"The port is of the national importance and will generate employment to the people of Andhra Pradehs and Tamil Nadu. The timely establishment of the port will generate revenue and also lessen the cargo burden on the nearby ports," the plea said.
Appearing on behalf of the petitioner, senior advocate Mohan Jain said, "The notification declaring Dugarajapatnam as a port was issued by Ministry of Shipping in September 2013 and even after the lapse of more than two years, no steps have been taken by the government for timely construction of the port.