Andhra Pradesh: Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy Lays Foundation Stone Of Greenfield Mulapeta Port

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy laid the foundation stone for the Mulapeta Greenfield Port Project worth Rs 4,362 crore today (19 April).

The four-berth Mulapet port will have a capacity of 23.53 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) developed under Phase-I and another 83.3 MMTPA under Phase-II.

The proposed site for the greenfield port falls under villages of Mulapeta, Rajapuram, Kothalingudu in Santhabommali mandal of Srikakulam district. The port location is roughly about 85 nautical miles off the northeast of Visakhapatnam Port.

Andhra has ambitions to develop a series of greenfield ports. In the north of Andhra Pradesh, the designated greenfield port location of Mulapeta was chosen as it was considered the one with the best potential for developing a greenfield port.

Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB), the implementing agency of the project, has awarded the work contract for the phase-1 of the port project to a joint venture led by Hyderabad-based infrastructure firm Vishwa Samudra Engineering.

The joint venture (JV) between Vishwa Samudra and Visakhapatnam-based R R Constructions pipped Megha Engineering and Infrastructure (MEIL) to win the EPC deal for Mulapeta port.

In August 2020, the state government approved the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by RITES for the development of Mulapeta port.

The state government has so far acquired 1,010 acres (408.7 ha) for the development of port. The acquired land includes scattered trees of cashew, casuarina, palm trees, coastal sand, salt pans and open scrub areas.

The state government proposes building a dedicated road/rail corridor from the proposed port site. Around 184 acres of acquired land will be utilised for external road/rail connectivity.

The National Highway-16 (Chennai-Kolkata) is about 14 km from the proposed Mulapeta port. The nearest railway station to the proposed port location is Naupada Junction (East Coast Railway).

Mulapeta Port Rail Connectivity is proposed from Naupada Station, situated on the Chennai-Howrah route of the East Coast Railway. In the initial stage, one dedicated railway siding for coal and one for fertiliser is planned, with manual loading arrangements.

A coal berth, a mechanised wagon loading system (rapid loading system) of two numbers and connected railway sidings will be developed in subsequent phases. The line-km in the initial phase is 13.5 km, including points and crossings.

About Rs 109 crore relief and rehabilitation package has been approved for the 594 displaced families of Vishnuchakram and Mulapeta villages.

Under this, construction would begin on a 55-acre R&R community in Naupada village, complete with modern amenities.

The government has decided to finish the port development work in 30 months so that it can be used for general cargo and other export and import.

Significance Of Mulapeta Port

Though Mulapeta is situated close to the major port of Visakhapatnam, it is an inherent advantage in terms of proximity to states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh. The traffic congestion in Paradip Port is also expected to make Mulapeta an attractive alternative option.

The new port is expected to boost economic activity in the region, creating both direct and indirect employment opportunities that should positively impact the socio-economic conditions of the district.

Once the port development is complete, Mulapeta is expected to cater to the movement of iron ore, coal, limestone, edible oil, general cargo such as mineral sand, iron and steel products, fertilisers, granite, ferro products, jute products and food products such as soya and cashew.

Andhra Pradesh Government Renames Bhavanapadu Port As Mulapeta Port At The Request Of Locals

The Andhra Pradesh government recently renamed the proposed Bhavanapadu port in Srikakulam district as Mulapeta port, at the request of the locals.

Initially, the project had been named Bhavanapadu port, and all correspondence regarding the acquisition of land were made in the name of establishing a 'greenfield Bhavanapadu port.'

The limits for the development of a minor port in Bhavanapadu were first established in 1979.

However, the state government extended the project southwards beyond Tekkali creek, covering Mulapeta and Vishnuchakram villages in 2022 to allow for future expansions, alignment of the approach channel, and adequate provisions for mitigation of potential environmental challenges during the port's construction.

During a district-level negotiating committee meeting, farmers of Mulapeta and Vishnuchakram villages requested officials to change the project's name to Mulapeta port, as Bhavanapadu was not located within the proposed port area.

While the majority of lands in the proposed port area belong to Mulapeta village, some lands are in Vishnuchakram village.

Following the name change request made by the Srikakulam district collector, the state government approved the request, and an official order was issued on Sunday (16 April).

Andhra Pradesh Ports

Andhra already has 4 major ports — Visakhapatnam Port, Gangavaram Port, Krishnapatnam Port and Kakinada Deep Water Port.

Visakhapatnam Port is India’s largest cargo-handling port, with a capacity of 65 MMTPA.

Gangavaram Port is India’s deepest port, with a 21 m draft and a current capacity of 35 MMTPA (scalable to 200 MMTPA).

Kakinada Deep Water Port has four berths with 12 MMTPA handling capacity having a 13 m draft. Krishnapatnam Port, with a deep draft of 21 m, is a bulk handling port with ultra-modern cargo handling facilities.