The Ministry of Ports has received 29 new proposals from Andhra Pradesh, worth about Rs 33 billion, covering projects ranging from port development to the construction of coastal berths and fish landing centres. The Centre's Sagarmala marine logistics development scheme is providing financial assistance to 13 projects in Andhra Pradesh, valued at around Rs 25 billion, including Ro-Pax and passenger jetties, fishing harbours, port modernisation, and skill development.

The Visakhapatnam Port Authority and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) have undertaken 36 projects in the state at an investment of Rs 46 billion, of which 22 projects (worth Rs 25.3 billion) have been completed. The international cruise-cum-coastal terminal was built at Visakhapatnam Port to cater to passengers from around the world.

Of the proposed 29 new projects, the ports ministry has partially funded four projects worth Rs 12 billion. For the development of Bhavanapadu Port, Ramayapatnam Port, and Machilipatnam Port, the state government has been asked to restructure the projects and explore funding through special assistance under the PM GatiShakti scheme for infrastructure development. The projects related to coastal berths and fish landing centers have been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for approval.

After a slowdown in recent years, work on four new ports "Ramayapatnam, Bhavanapadu, Kakinada Gateway, and Machilipatnam" is expected to speed up under the new administration. These new ports are expected to increase the state's cargo handling capacity by 110 million tonnes and create 75,000 jobs. The government is also investing in improving facilities at its existing six ports.

(Source: BusinessLine)