Media reports indicate that the proposed major port project at Dugarajapatnam of Vakadu mandal in Andhra Pradesh may not take off because of complications in the identified site.
A technical committee that studied the project objected the Dugarajapatnam location keeping in view the reservations expressed by the Isro scientists as well ecologists as it was close to the Pulicat Lake, a reserved bird sanctuary and Isro’s satellite launch centre, Shar.
The Dugarajapatnam site will face scrutiny by the defence and environment ministries before it gets the final nod.
The central government chose a site in Dugarajapatnam as opposed to the state government’s preference for Ramayapatnam because Krishnapatnam Port (KPPL) raised objections for setting up the project in Ramayapatnam.
KPPL asserted its exclusive rights on the coast up to 100 km from the existing port based on an agreement it signed with the government. This forced the centre to defer decision on Ramayapatnam, which is within 100 km zone of KPPL.
Though, there is possibility of changing the MoU made with the KPPL to trim its exclusive zone, the centre went ahead with another controversial decision to locate the port at Dugarajapatnam.
The technical committee recommended Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district as the most suitable location for the new major port in the state.
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