They say mega infrastructure project will spur growth in the backward district
The stir for locating a world-class port at Ramayapatnam in Prakasam district got a boost with leaders cutting across party lines joining the movement spearheaded by the Prakasam District Development Forum (PDDF) for realising the mega infrastructure project to spur growth in the district.
A roundtable conference attended by, among others, leaders of the TDP, BJP, CPI and the Congress on Saturday decided to impress upon Chief Minister N.Chandrababu Naidu to lead a delegation to New Delhi to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari for development of Ramayapatnam port, CPI district secretary K. Aruna and PDFF president Ch. Ranga Rao said while briefing newsmen on the conference.
”It is imperative to locate the second major port sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh at Ramayapatnam to attract industrial investments of over Rs. 1 lakh crore including in the proposed National Investment and Manufacturing Zone (NIMZ) and ancillary industries to unleash the growth potential of the region fully”, asserted senior TDP leader from Kandukur Divi Sivaram, who has been in the forefront of the stir ever-since the UPA Government’s reported decided to locate the port at Duggirajapatnam in neighbouring Potti Sriramulu Nellore district, overlooking security and environmental concerns.
”The BJP has committed itself in its election manifesto to develop Ramayapatnam port and there is no question of going back on this promise”, maintained BJP District General Secretary R.Ramanjaneyulu.
”Ramayapatnam Port with an initial investment of Rs. 8,000 crores is the need of the hour to put the entire successor state of Andhra Pradesh on the path of progress with port-based economic activities”, felt Communist Party of India State Deputy Secretary Mupalla Nageswara Rao.
Transportation cost on EXIM trade can be saved by locating the major port in Ramayapatnam, which is closer to several districts of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema and ensure dispersed development, added PDDF Secretary N.Ravikumar. Congress district unit spokesman Sashikanth Bhushan suggested that road and rail blockade stirs should be resorted to draw the Centre’s attention to the demand.
Source: TheHindu