The Andhra Pradesh state government is ready to privatise three ports in the state. The government had issued notification seeking Expression of Interest (EoI) from the interested parties. The EoIs are to be submitted by November 4.
The government through the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB) issued the tender notification seeking EoIs from the potential applicants. The government proposes to privatise Mulapet port in Srikakulam district, Machilipatnam Port in Krishna district and Ramayapatnam Port in SPSR Nellore district.
The government wants the private parties to develop, operate and maintain the ports. The YSR Congress government had initiated the works on these ports. The Machilipatnam Port and the Ramayapatnam Port have almost completed and ready for commercial operation.
The YSR Congress wanted the state government to maintain and operate these ports and earn money. However, the NDA government now plans to give them to the private individuals or companies for the operation and maintenance. The private individuals or companies would make money by paying some portion of it to the state government.
The state government had also proposed to privatise the fishing harbours in the state. The YSR Congress had started construction of nine fishing harbours in the state. Construction of some of the fishing harbours is almost nearing completion. However, now the present NDA government had proposed to privatise these harbours.
The state government wants efficient management and upkeep of existing fishing harbour facilities in the state. It also wants the private players for implementation of modern technologies and practices for harbour operations. The state government also wants the private players to develop cold chain infrastructure in the fishing harbours.
The state government wants to privatise the Juvvaladinne fishing harbour, Nizampatnam, Machilipatnam, Uppada, Budagatlapalem, Pudimadaka, Kothapatnam, Vodarevu and Biyyaputhippa.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu is a known leader for his positive line towards the private sector. He promotes private companies in any field. He has been the darling of the private sector. He encourages private institutions in every field. Be it education or health or now the ports and fishing harbours, Naidu promotes only private players.
