Lokesh discusses port-led development with Gujarat CM

IT & HRD Minister Nara Lokesh in a meeting with Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel at Gandhi Nagar on Thursday. BY AGREEMENT | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh met Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar on Thursday and proposed that the two states work together to develop a bilateral (coast-to-coast) logistics and trade corridor to share best practices in private port concessions and port-led industrialisation.

Mr. Lokesh noted that if Gujarat on the west coast and AP as the gateway on the east coast move forward in coordination, the maritime and port industry would make significant progress. Andhra Pradesh has been building small ports at Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam and Mulapeta on the lines of Gujarat’s maritime sector model.

He lauded GIFT IFSC for standing as a landmark for international financial services and innovation in the country and explained the strategies AP is implementing to develop modern business districts in Visakhapatnam and Amaravati.

Mr. Lokesh sought support from the Gujarat government for knowledge exchange on single window permits, developer incentives and regulatory structures implemented in GIFT City. He said that AP is developing a semiconductor and green energy ecosystem and integrating it into the industrial supply chain and invited Mr. Patel to attend the Vijayawada Utsav scheduled to be held from October 11 to 20 at Punnami Ghat and the Godavari Pushkaralu scheduled to be held in 2027.

He also requested for allotment of land for construction of Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple under the aegis of TTD in Gujarat. Rajya Sabha member Sana Satish was present.

Published – 25 Sep 2026 13:11 IST