Ramayapatnam port, one
of the four major ports planned by the Andhra Pradesh government, is likely to
begin operations in the next few days. The first phase of the project is
nearing completion, with the south and north breakwater work almost ready, and
the dredging and reclamation work too in the final stages of completion.
The port will be
launched with four berths in the first phase in January 2024, while 15 more
berths would be added by the final stage.
The 3,800 crore port project was
launched two years ago and the first phase work was completed almost 10 months
ahead of schedule. The state government has plans to build a port in Bhavanpadu
in the North coast and Masulipatnam in south coast.
Andhra Pradesh has
Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram, Kakinada and Krishnapatnam all major ports. With the state
government building three more ports the state will have seven full fledged
ports.
The state government is particular
about early completion of projects. Ramayanpatnam
Port situated in central Andhra Pradesh coast was the site for building a major
port by the Union Ports Ministry in 2006. There were differences of opinion
about the Port site with a strong lobby in the state pitching for the port in
southern coast. Since they could not arrive at an understanding the Ports
ministry dropped the proposal.