Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to take steps to transform Andhra Pradesh (AP) into a prosperous east-west freight corridor by optimizing cargo handling operations at the state’s ports and making Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam and Mulapeta ports operational as soon as possible.
With conflicts in West Asia disrupting ports in Dubai and other Gulf countries, he said India’s east coast was increasingly seen as a safe and reliable alternative and urged officials to take advantage of emerging opportunities.
Reviewing the progress of marine and fishing ports in a meeting held at the Secretariat on Monday, Mr. Naidu directed the officials to ensure that the three ports effectively supply the hinterland of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka. He noted that Ramayapatnam will emerge as a hub for containers and bulk cargo after the establishment of the BPCL refinery.
He also said that the Railways has approved a dedicated track from Ramayapatnam to Kadapa Steel Plant.
Mr. Naidu proposed the development of port towns at Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam and Mulapeta to give a boost to trade. He also ordered that the construction of fishing harbors at Budagatlapalem, Pudimadaka and Kothapatnam be expedited in the second phase.
Expressing confidence in the logistics potential of the state, the Chief Minister said that with a port or fishing harbor coming up every 50 kilometers in the near future, Andhra Pradesh will become a major logistics hub.
Officials informed him that Ramayapatnam and Machilipatnam ports are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Special Principal Secretary (Infrastructure and Investment) MT Krishna Babu and AP Maritime Board CEO Abhishek Kumar were among those present.
Published – 16 March 2026 20:58 IST
