TDP leader and former B.C. Welfare Minister Kollu Ravindra on Tuesday said that any attempt to permit the Telangana government to develop Machilipatnam deep sea port would not be tolerated, given the interests of the people of Andhra Pradesh on maritime trade and the pride associated with the project.
Referring to ‘a secret government order’ issued on June 28, Mr. Ravindra expressed dismay over the way the A.P. government was proceeding with the prestigious project.
‘Secret talks with KCR’
“The first phase of the project is supposed to be commissioned by early 2020. Machinery has been withdrawn from the port site, but Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is yet to offer any clarity on the issue, ” the former Minister said.
Mr. Ravindra also alleged that preliminary consent has been given to alienate 8,000 acres of land for the project during secret talks between Mr. Jagan and his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao and attended by Transport Minister Perni Nani who represents Machilipatnam in the Assembly.
“The deep sea port is no more a local issue. People of the State want to see the port flourishing, playing an instrumental role in its development,” he said.
Mr. Ravindra said that the TDP was preparing to launch a State-level campaign on the issue on the lines of the “Visakhapatnam Vukku-Andhrula Hakku” stir.
He demanded that the CM clear the air on the project and ensure that the deadline set for commissioning it was met.
