Port cargo in Andhra Pradesh records 15 per cent growth

VIJAYAWADA: With ports in Andhra Pradesh growing at 15 per cent a year, the state government has devised strategies to reach the top position in cargo handling in the country.

Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Monday instructed officials to make efforts to reach the top position in cargo handling and develop green-field commercial ports at strategic locations across the coastal line.

In a teleconference with officials of energy, industry and infrastructure departments, Naidu said the state has become an attractive destination for pulling in port-related investments owing to the prevailing investor friendly climate.

Ports in Andhra Pradesh have grown at about 15% year-on-year from 131 MMT to 150 MMT in 2018. The ports under administration control of state government have grown from 69.6 MMT to 86.3 MMT at a growth rate of 24%.

Non-major ports have grown at 26% in the last one year.

Cargo traffic figures during the periods April 2017 to September 2017 and April 2018 to September 2018 are 41.8 million metric tonnes and 52.6 MMT respectively.

“The figures are indicating that AP will be vibrant port state in future. The state is already moving proactively towards establishing new port projects," Naidu said.

Rapid development in ports will generate employment to lakhs of youths in nine districts in the state.

Ajay Jain, principal secretary for energy, said Kakinada special economic zone was declared as the successful bidder in developing ‘KSEZ Port’ at Kona village in Tondangi mandal of East Godavari district.

The proposed KSEZ port would be connected to Industrial hinterland of north Andhra Pradesh, Southern Chhattisgarh and Orissa, Eastern Maharashtra. The port is expected to benefit surrounding villages and region. About 1,250 personnel on direct basis and around 1,500 on indirect basis would get employment.

Officials said during operational phase, the port is likely to generate employment for 1000 people on direct and indirect basis within port premises and around 3,500 people will get employment due to port ancillary developments (indirect employment).