The new state of Andhra Pradesh should leverage the advantage provided by the long coastline for long-term sustainable development, Chief Executive Officer VCTPL and Executive Director JM Baxi Group Captain Sriram Ravichander said.
Priority of the Government of the Andhra Pradesh should take the opportunity to start afresh and focus on building connectivity. The new State should promote coastal shipping and also strengthen the waterways like Buckingham Canal as a cost-effective transporting solution to the industries. Such sustainable solutions that require minimal investment need to be a part of the basis of the policy framework of the new government to give it the cost advantage, the former chairman of CII Vizag Chapter said.
There could be RORO services linking coastal towns and good road connectivity to hinterland would provide an economic transport solution, he pointed out.
The coastal shipping traffic could be regulated to ensure safety of Indian Navy Submarines, but otherwise there can be no restrictions on the navigation by the ships of any flag seeking innocent passage through the Indian waters as India is a signatory to international treaties, the Master Mariner explained.
Since we would be starting afresh it would make more sense for the Government to draw up policies that would be future ready. The Government could rope in experts from across the spectrum and draw the road map that would benefit the people. The political leadership should look beyond electoral gains and participate in the development of the state.
One idea would be to have rural habitations connected to nearby towns with good quality roads. This would not only help people access services like education, medicare and employment but also reduce the migratory pressure on urban agglomerates, he suggested. This rural urbanisation or ‘Rurarbanisation’ would help create more employment opportunities nearer home and as a result see more centres of wealth creation and ensure its better spread.
