AP govt will develop Machilipatnam port at any cost: Venkataramaiah

The Andhra Pradesh transport minister on Friday said the government will develop the Machilipatnam port in Krishna district at any cost and the work on the project would start by the end of this year.

The YSR Congress government had on Thursday cancelled the concession agreement for the deep sea port.

It issued an order to resume 412.57 acres of land which was given on lease. The order issued by the Department of Industry, Infrastructure, Investment and Commerce, made it clear that the government reserves the liberty to claim compensation for the damages suffered by the government from Machilipatnam Port Private Ltd.

Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani), the minister for Transport and I&PR and the Machilipatnam MLA, said that the state government would develop the port at any cost. The work will start by the end of this year without dragging it further, he said.

He said the port will be developed in partnership with any state or central government agencies instead of allowing any private companies.

Former chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu had in February laid the foundation stone for the deep sea port to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore.