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Andhra Pradesh has received a significant boost with a ?7,000 crore investment under various Sagarmala schemes from the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal announced in Parliament.
The proposed investment includes 29 new projects from the Andhra Pradesh government, totaling ?3,300 crore. The Union Ministry will partially fund four projects, amounting to ?1,200 crore.
For the development of Bhavanapadu Port, Ramayapatnam Port, and Machilipatnam Port, the Andhra government has been advised to "restructure the projects and explore funding possibilities under special assistance to States for Capital Investment under PM GatiShakti."
Projects related to Coastal Berths and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) have also been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for necessary approvals, Sonowal added.
In addition, the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and IWAI have launched 36 projects in Andhra Pradesh with a combined investment of ?4,600 crore. Of these, 22 projects worth ?2,530 crore have been completed, while 14 projects worth ?2,070 crore are in various stages of implementation. Notably, an international cruise and coastal terminal has been constructed at Visakhapatnam Port.
The Sagarmala initiative is a flagship program aimed at transforming the maritime sector by utilizing the country’s extensive coastline and navigable waterways for port-led development. Funding for these projects is provided through a blend of Public-Private Partnerships, equity participation, and Grant-in-aid assistance, ensuring comprehensive financial backing.
Sonowal highlighted the progress made in port capacity, noting that over the past decade, the nation’s port capacity surged to over 2,500 MTPA by 2022-23, an 86% increase from 2014-15, with Major Ports’ cargo handling capacity doubling during the same period. |
