Andhra Pradesh to build a port-based economy along 1,000 km of coastline

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled the outline of a port-based economy centered around the state's 1,000 km coastline. He said that a port or fishing harbor will be built every 50 km in the state, which will bring major progress in economic development, employment generation and infrastructure construction.

According to the Chief Minister, the main objective of the plan is to exploit the commercial potential of the state by fully utilizing its natural coastline. According to the plan, the facilities for transporting goods will be enhanced along with the ports and he has also directed to increase cargo movement through Visakhapatnam port.

As part of this initiative, a ship building and repair cluster has been planned at Dugrajpatnam in Nellore district as part of the post-bifurcation commitment of the central government. Based on a preliminary feasibility report, the project will be developed on 2,000 acres of land — out of which 1,000 acres will be allocated for the main shipbuilding unit and the remaining 1,000 acres for infrastructure support industries.

A greenfield port will be developed under the project, which will become a modern hub for shipbuilding and repair. It will have four dry docks, an outfitting jetty and an advanced ship-lift facility. The estimated investment of the Central Government in the project is Rs 3,500 crore, while the Andhra Pradesh Government will provide the capital by providing land.

In addition, a Special Purpose Vehicle will be formed to attract global shipbuilding companies to invest in the project. The government estimates that the project will attract a total investment of Rs 26,000 crore and generate 5,000 direct and 30,000 indirect jobs.

The Chief Minister has directed the officials to prepare a detailed action plan for the speedy implementation of the project. According to him, this plan will give a new direction not only to the economy of Andhra Pradesh, but also to the port-based industrial sector of the entire South India.