Central nod for 385 acre salt lands accelerates Mulapeta port work in AP

Srikakulam: The hurdles for the Mulapeta Port project have finally been cleared, with the Centre issuing orders handing over 385.24 acres of Naupada salt lands for port development. These lands, under the control of the Central government, have now been officially allotted to the AP Maritime Board. Of the total land, 88.70 acres have been earmarked for road and rail connectivity, while 296.54 acres have been allotted for Phase-I port works. Union minister for civil aviation and Srikakulam MP Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu played a key role by holding discussions with the concerned ministries and the Union commerce and industry department. Officials said nearly 75% of the port works have been completed—21% during the previous YSRCP government and over 52% under the present NDA government. Currently, Phase-I works for a 23.5-million-tonne capacity port across 1,500 acres are in progress. The salt land issue had been pending since the project began. With the latest clearances, a 12.85 km road from NH-16 at Tekkali to the port will now be constructed. Officials added that 88.70 acres are also required for a 7.8 km rail line from Dandugopalapuram Halt on the Chennai–Howrah main line to the port. With the land allotment completed, construction can now proceed. Minister Rammohan Naidu said the long-pending salt land issue has finally reached a conclusion and expressed confidence that the district would witness rapid development once the port becomes operational. The NDA government, he added, is committed to completing the project at the earliest.