The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Gangavaram Port ‘emerges winner’

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Thursday, Oct 30, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Gangavaram Port ‘emerges winner’

Santosh Patnaik

Mutyalammapalem minor port proposal shelved

–A File photo

In full swing: Construction work at Gangavaram Port.

VISAKHAPATNAM: A minor port proposed at Mutyalammapalem near Parawada in 1995 has been shelved, apparently to favour the private port coming up at Gangavaram.

On the recommendation of Director of Ports that sufficient anchorage for different types of cargo was needed at the minor port being developed by Gangavaram Port Limited (GPL) and there was necessity to extend the port limits of Gangavaram Port to ensure ‘utmost safety and occupational efficiency,’ the G.O. Ms. No. 89 issued during Telugu Desam regime to set up the minor port was cancelled.

The director had informed the government that part of Mutyalammapalem Port boundary was coming under the proposed port limits of Gangavaram Port.

Through G.O. Ms. No. 34, the government de-notified the Mutyalammapalem Port. Accordingly, a notification was published in the extraordinary issue of AP gazette and district gazette of Visakhapatnam on September 8.

After forming a special purpose vehicle (SPV) by DVS Raju-led consortium, which bagged the Gangavaram Port project following a 30-year concession agreement, GPL began the construction of first phase comprising five berths about two years ago at a cost of Rs.1,800 crore. The management is trying to invite UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi for the inauguration.

After violent protests by the project-affected people of Gangavaram and Dibbapalem , a pact was signed with the intervention of the district administration two years ago on compensation package. While ignoring the pleas of Vizag Steel Plant, the government had also issued orders exempting Gangavaram Port area from the jurisdiction of Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.

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