The Machilipatnam Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has come a long way in developing 40 km of coastline into a Coastal Economic Region, with a move to expand its jurisdiction from 426 square km to 1,794 sq. km covering nearly six lakh population in the deltaic land of East Krishna.
Constituted in February 2016, the urban body has prepared ‘Perspective and Master Plan 2051’, exploring possibilities to turn the coastline into a potential economic region by using the land and coast meticulously.
The plan was prepared by the Netherlands-based Royal Haskoning DHV agency and tabled before the Municipal Administration and Urban Development for clearance early this year.
The expansion plan of jurisdiction — between Diviseema and Kaikaluru — is now under consideration of the State government. The mandals of Pedana, Guduru, and Gudlavalleru would completely fall in the jurisdiction once the plan is approved.
In his maiden review, Machilipatnam MLA and I&PR Minister Perni Nani has hailed the idea of bringing Kaikaluru under the MUDA’s jurisdiction, citing that it would open up more opportunities in the arena of ‘aqua industry’.
Constituted under the AP Urban Areas (Development) Act, 1975, the total population in the MUDA area is above 2.4 lakh, while four more lakh to be added soon with the extension of jurisdiction.
The Perspective Plan 2051 advocates using the land scientifically, planning for creating corridors; Industries, maritime, aqua, transportation and tourism, given the geographical advantages and disadvantages.
It was the first plan that was prepared after the Dutch and the British abandoned the port city of Machilipatnam which witnessed a robust maritime trade till it was hit by the cyclonic storm in 1864.
“The MUDA’s three-year dedicated contribution is to give a shape to the idea of developing the abandoned Machilipatnam coast, putting the dreamy project of deep sea port on track by commissioning the construction works in February (2019). A word from the newly formed State government on its plan for the Machilipatnam coast will enable to obtain the ₹1,365 crore loan offered by the SBI in principle,” MUDA Vice-Chairman P. Wilson Babu told The Hindu.
The land acquisition notification (2015) was withdrawn last year, adopting Land Purchasing Scheme for all the future projects, for which farmer/landowner is entitled to negotiate the price for the land to be proposed for the projects.
“The Container Corporation of India Limited has signed an MoU with the State government, proposing to set up the Integrated Logistics Management Zone (ILMZ) with an investment of ₹513 crore, of which ₹260 crore is meant for land purchase”, said Mr. Wilson Babu. The ILMZ comes up at Buddalapalem and Kakarlamudi villages.
Road corridor
The MUDA has been blessed with a robust road corridor, with national highway 65, 216 and State highway running through its jurisdiction, connecting Capital Regional area, Guntur and Vijayawada city to the national waterway in Eastern Krishna, including Machilipatnam. The four-lane Vijayawada-Machilipatnam road, doubling of Gudivada-Machilipatnam rail tracks have improved transportation facilities to woo the investors.
The Krishna District Collector, who was recently transferred, opines: “Machilipatnam is the only district headquarters in the country that witnessed fall in decadal growth of population (2001-11), a sign for the unexplored opportunities of the coast, otherwise a maritime trade destination for the British”.
INSET
All eyes on the sea
All eyes are on the sole growth engine of deep sea port targeted to be commissioned by 2021. At a time when the neighbouring State of Telangana is lobbying to draw benefit from it for its maritime trade needs, the State government has started the construction works in February.
The Navayuga Construction Company Limited is developing the port on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer mode on the 4,800 acres of area on the Machilipatnam coast.
“Fifty-four per cent of land proposed for the port belongs to the State government, while rest belongs to private landowners, who have parted with 1,173 acres till date. We have overcome the prime hurdle in gathering the land completely without any impediment to commission the port at any stage”, said Mr. Wilson Babu.
Meanwhile, the State government is yet to reveal its action plan on speeding up the port project in the wake of it’s new guidelines regarding all the major projects and agreements signed by the previous government.
“The port is the engine that guides the future of the coast. It will only decide the fate of our town, giving a fillip to the industrial growth, urbanisation and acceleration of economy”, opined maritime traders associated with fishing in Bay of Bengal.
Expansion of the existing Gilakaladindi harbour with a fleet capacity of 500 boats will help witness an increase in the maritime trade on the Machilipatnam coast, with rising in the export of the seafood.
SIDE STORY 2
A challenge ahead
The proposed industrial activities would throw a challenge to the MUDA to map the tourism. The port project,once operational, would force the closure of the existing Manginapudi beach. “All the technical and scientific studies to move towards Bantumill coast are under way to develop two more beaches next to the Manginapudi, apart from giving a fillip to backwaters and mangrove cover. We pin hopes on tourism that guarantees livelihood options for more coastal communities”, said Mr. Wilson Babu. Machilipatnam has safe beaches close to Vijayawada city and the capital city of Amaravati.
Set for giant leap
2016 - Government constitutes MUDA
Area : 426.16 Sq.km.
29 Revenue Villages
Population 2.41 lakh
2018 - Plan for expansion of MUDA jurisdiction.
Area : 1,794 Sq.km.
New Mandals - Guduru, Gudlavalleru, Pedana,
Bantumilli, Kaikaluru
Population above 6 lakhs.
Projects:
2019 - February : Deep sea port works begin
Expansion of Gilakaladindi harbour
Fleet capacity : 500 boats
ILMZ by Container Corporation of India Ltd. (1000 acres)
Under progress - Doubling NH 65, NH 216 SH 46
Doubling of Gudiwada-Machilipatnam railway line
2019 - Perspective and Master Plan 2051
Prepared by Royal Haskoning DHV agency.
SBI approves loan for MUDA: Rs. 1365 crore
Anticipated Cargo Capacity: 1,70,00,000 Tonnes
Traffic: 100 MTPA
Channel: 12.8 metre
Berths: 15
Railway Line: 57km
Green Belt: Ac. 239.6
Drains: 99km