As a port at Dugarajapatnam was considered unviable by the Centre, nothing prevented State government to press for Ramayapatnam as an alternative site, said leaders of Left parties.
The leaders and civil society organisations took part in a round table conference here on Friday by the CPI(M) to chalk out an action plan to intensify stir to achieve a central public sector port in the State.
The State Cabinet should adopt a resolution suggesting Ramayapatnam as an alternative site for the port, said CPI State executive member and former MLC P. Chandrasekar Rao.
It was a “costly delay” on the part of the government in responding to the Centre's request for an alternative site suggestion.
He found fault with the State government for not taking up before 5th Finance Commission Chairman N.K. Singh the demand for the inclusion of Prakasam district in the list of backward districts for special assistance.
All-party delegation
“No further time should be lost in taking an all-party delegation to New Delhi to impress upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi the need to take up the project at Ramayapatnam, which is suitable for a major port,” said CPI district secretary M.L. Narayana.
CPI(M) East Prakasam secretary P. Anjaneyulu said a delegation of Left leaders had sought an appointment with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on October 15 during his visit to the district to press the demand. If permission was denied they would hold a protest during his Ongole visit, he said.
‘Diversionary tactics’
The proposal for a port at Voderavu that faced a court case had been made by the Centre to allegedly mislead the public at a time when experts had found Ramayapatnam suitable for a major port, said former district Joint Collector Sk. Shamsheer Ahamad.
The experts committee had ruled out a port at Dugarajapatnam as it was close to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota and the Pulicat lake, a habitat for migratory birds, said Forum for Good Goverance former president T.Gopal Reddy.
