VIJAYAWADA: Minister for Infrastructure and Investments BC Janardhan Reddy has said that the coalition government, under the leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has taken up the Moolapeta greenfield port works in Srikakulam district on a priority basis and is aiming to complete the project by December 2026.
The minister added that along with Ramayapatnam and Machilipatnam ports, the Moolapeta port will be completed by the end of 2026, positioning the State as a key infrastructure hub.
In a release issued on Tuesday, the Minister said that YSRCP leaders are spreading misinformation about the project for political mileage. He accused the previous government of failing to carry out essential activities such as land acquisition, R&R, and development of connectivity infrastructure, which led to delays.
Asserting that the coalition government has taken up port construction on a ‘war footing’ after assuming power in 2024, he claimed that while only 25.02% of the work was completed by June 2024 with an expenditure of Rs 718 crore, the current government has achieved 69.57% completion by spending Rs 1,835 crore so far.
He noted that over the last 20 months alone, more than 44% of the project work has been completed with an investment of Rs 1,117 crore, highlighting the faster pace of execution.
The minister said breakwater works have reached 88.82% completion, dredging and reclamation works 81.47%, and berth construction 76.55%. Onshore infrastructure, which had not been started earlier, is now underway, while external infrastructure works have also picked up pace.
He further alleged that the previous government had cancelled a contract awarded to Adani Ports, causing further delays.
He also pointed out that issues related to land acquisition, including salt lands and rehabilitation measures, were not addressed adequately before the foundation stone was laid in 2023.
The minister said the current government has resolved several bottlenecks, including securing Central approval for the acquisition of 385.24 acres of salt land required for the project.
Urging the public not to be misled by political campaigns such as ‘Chalo Moolapeta’, he reiterated that the government remains committed to the development of North Andhra and the timely completion of the port project.