Chandrababu Naidu to lay stone for port today

Ongole: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is all set to lay foundation stones for two prestigious projects in Prakasam district on Wednesday. He will help realize the locals their long-standing dream of having a port at Ramayapatnam while also entering an MoU with the Asia Pulp and Paper Industries to establish the largest capacity paper mill in the world near Ramayapatnam port.

Speaking at Vijayawada, director of ports Dr Koya Praveen announced that the state government had established Andhra Pradesh Maritime Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited to construct the Ramayapatnam minor port. He said that the port would be constructed at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore budget and 4.9 km break waters.

The minister for forests, environment, science and technology Siddha Raghavarao explained in Ongole that the port will be constructed in 4,652 acre with two lakh metric tonne capacity. He said that the Asia Pulp and Papers will spend about Rs 27,000 crore in the first phase to establish a paper mill in 2,450 acre at Chevuru, 3 km from here.

He said the 5 million metric tonne capacity will provide employment opportunities to 18,000 people besides helping eucalyptus and subabul farmers in the district. The chief minister will reach Ravuru village by helicopter around 10.40 am and signs MoU with the Asia Pulp and
Paper officials. He will lay foundation to Ramayapatnam port and APP at 12 noon and later participate in the sixth edition of Janmabhoomi Maa Vooru at Ramayapatnam.