Not possible to allocate land for Vadarevu port as it is stuck

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister today said it was not possible to allocate land for establishing a major port at Vadarevu, as proposed by Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari, since it is stuck in litigation.

He, however, insisted that the Centre set up a major port at Dugarajapatnam in SPS Nellore district as per the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014.

"Anybody will build (a port) in Vadarevu. But they have to give in Dugarajapatnam, not in Vanpic (Vadarevu)," the Chief Minister said at a press conference here this evening.

He wanted the BJP leaders to first say if they would build a port at Dugarajapatnam.

"They are asking for a new port because they need it. They want to do it on a 50:50 basis if land is given.

Land is available. It will become a prime project. If the court case is finalised, we can go for Vanpic. Anybody will come to take it up or we can do it. There is viability," Naidu said.

Gadkari handed over a letter to the Chief Minister in Visakhapatnam yesterday requesting allocation of 3,000 acres of land for setting up a new port at Vadarevu in Prakasam district.

"Under the Sagarmala project, this will become a growth engine and contribute to port-led industrial development in the region," Gadkari said.

He mooted the idea of forming a special purpose vehicle with the state government to develop the new port at Vadarevu.

"If they want to do it through an SPV, its a different thing. We will discuss it. I told Gadkari I will work it (SPV) out," the Chief Minister said.

"There is no link to Dugarajapatnam. Thats in the Act. This is commercial. He (Gadkari) is asking another commercial port because Vizag Port is congested and another port will be easier for operations in the state," Naidu said.