Andhra CM meets Baalu to discuss setting up of shipyard on East Coas

New Delhi, Apr 22 (UNI) The Union Shipping Ministry and the Andhra Pradesh government are all set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up of an international-size shipyard on the East Coast of the country.

The MoU is expected to be signed by the middle of the next month.

This followed a meeting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S R Reddy had with Shipping, Road Transport&Highways Minister T R Baalu here today to discuss the modalities of setting up of the shipyard.

Mr Baalu informed the Chief Minister that his ministry was ready to sign the MoU with the Andhra Pradesh Government to chart out a detailed road map for the development of the proposed shipyard.

The Centre proposes to set up one international-size shipyard each on the East Coast and the West Coast.

The Andhra Pradesh government has offered to make available, 2,000 acres of land within next six months free of cost to the Centre for the development of the shipyard, which it has proposed to develop at Vodarevu Port in Prakasam district of the state.

During the meeting, the two sides emphasised the need to construct and develop Vodarevu port within two years. Mr Baalu said state-level statutory clearances should be granted in a tim-bound manner to ensure that the project was completed within the stipulated time-frame.

He also requested Mr Reddy to develop an all-weather approach road from the State Highway to the site of the project and also to ensure supply of at least 15 MW of uninterrupted power to facilitate an early completion of the project.

The chief minister assured Mr Baalu that preparation of the techno-commercial feasibility report and detailed project report would be completed within three to six months as a consultant had already been engaged for the purpose.

Mr Baalu said the government would ensure timely clearance at the central level and facilitate the requisite rail connectivity.

Regarding the road projects in the state, Mr Baalu informed the chief minister that during the previous financial year, an amount of Rs 247 crore was sanctioned under the Central Roads Fund (CRF) for Andhra Pradesh.

The proposal for the current financial year under CRF would be sanctioned as per the priority set up by the Andhra Pradesh government, he said, adding that his ministry had also sanctioned Rs. 100 crore for development works and Rs. 80 crore for maintenance work during the previous financial year to improve the condition of National Highways in the state.

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