Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Monday suggested the setting up of Sagarmala Development Company to facilitate FDI investment, while seeking support from the Centre on a host of issues for maritime sector growth and ports modernization in the State.
Addressing the first meeting of the National Sagarmala Apex Committtee at New Delhi, the Chief Minister gave an overview of the initiative taken by his government, including reduction of VAT on bunkering. He said that a port policy for the State has been finalised and would be notified by this month-end.
He said that a number of multi-modal logistics parks (MMLP) were being set up and new ports-for the new capital city at Machilipatnam and a Greenfield port at Bahavnapadu were planned. A holistic Maritime Concept Plan has been prepared and Maritime Board would be set up this year, he added.
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Mr. Naidu said during 2014-15 financial year, the state handled a total of 142 million metric tons of cargo and the traffic growth was the highest amongst all maritime States in the country at 21 per cent during the year.
Seeking support from the Centre, he wanted doubling and electrification of Raipur-Viziangaram line, dedicated freight corridor between Chennai and Howrah, removal of Railways Route Rationalization Scheme, revision of current logistics plan of the Railways, adequate supply of rakes for operations at AP ports and revision of coastal regulation zone for AP coastline.
He also listed out trade facilitation issues, including animal quarantine/ plant quarantine facilities to be set up near ports, export inspection agency at all ports and manning of all ports by customs instead of central excise, among others.
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Mr. Naidu urged the Centre to declare Visakhapatnam port and airport for handling silver and gold commodities and lift restrictions on import of apples. He wanted fishing harbour shifting projects to be taken up under Sagarmala programme and promotion of coastal shipping through targeted incentives and subsidies.