AP to develop minor ports

Minor ports in Andhra Pradesh "" including Gangavaram in Visakhapatnam, Krishnapatnam in Srikakulam district and Machilipatnam in Krishna district "" would be developed as part of the government's scheme to promote coastal water transportation in the state, according to K Mangapathi Rao, commissioner of ports.

Speaking to Business Standard, Rao said that the Krishnapatnam and Gangavaram ports were currently being developed with an investment of Rs 3,000 crore. In the first phase, Rs 2,000 crore will be spent in the current financial year on Gangavaram and Krishnapatnam ports.

He said that the only operational ports in the state were the anchorage port and the deepwater port in Kakinada, which is being developed and operated by the Kakinada Sea Ports Private Limited.

The Gangavaram satellite port development is already underway and will be completed in the next two years. All works with regard to land acquisition is nearing completion. Of the 13 minor ports in the state, only five ports have the potential and financial feasibility for development, he added.

The Machilipatnam port, which was once the hub of cargo handling activity during the British rule, is once again on the developmental map.

"The National Shipping Development and Research Centre (NSDRC) at Visakhapatnam has already been approached by the commissionerate for a technical and feasibility report. Once it is submitted, we will study the same and undertake development of the port," Rao said.

"The port has a huge potential for handling cargo like steel, iron ore and cement. The coastal water transportation will definitely economise the otherwise high road transportation costs," he said.

Jaggaiahpeta, near Vijayawada, which is the centre for cement production units transports 10 million tonnes of cement clinker annually.

Dredging works will be taken up after receiving the consultancy report from NSDRC. The port is heavily sand-cast and dredging works will have to be undertaken to improve the depth of the anchorage port, he added.