Sources from the Kakinada anchorage (old) port in Andhra Pradesh informed that the infrastructure facilities need to be upgraded to attract more cargo.
It may be noted that the port traditionally depends on rice and maize export cargo and volume of these cargoes declined of late.
Crucial infrastructure like the approach road, the wharf at Jagannadhapuram, the jetties and other facilities are in poor shape and very little has been done to improve them in spite of repeated representations to the authorities, some reports indicate.
Under this condition, it is difficult to maintain a steady flow exports from the port, reports suggest. Thereforem the port authorities seek the intervention of the state government to upgrade infrastructure.
Export cargo of wheat and rice has dwindled at these ports also because of competition from other exporters like Pakistan, Vietnam and Myanmar. These countries are also supplying cheaper rice to the African nations and India is not able to compete with them as India’s minimum support price for raw rice is high.
After curbs on non-basmati rice exports were lifted by the centre, there was a flurry of activity at the old port and nearly 4 million tonne of rice was exported through the port, mainly to Africa. There were 20 or more ships waiting at the anchorage all the time and the workers at the old port got plenty of work. But exports declined again due to competition and poor infrastructure.
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