Andhra CM thanks PM Modi for land transfer to boost Mulapeta Port project

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for approving the transfer of nearly 400 acres of salt land for the development of the strategically important Mulapeta Port in Srikakulam district.

The Chief Minister said the Ministry of Commerce & Industry has cleared the transfer of 385.24 acres from the Naupada Salt Factory to the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB), a move expected to accelerate the long-pending port project. Calling it a major boost to infrastructure development , Naidu said the decision reflects strong coordination between the Centre and the state under the “double engine government”.

In a post on X, Naidu said the land transfer would enable faster creation of key infrastructure and strengthen connectivity required for efficient port operations. He also expressed gratitude to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal for his continued support in facilitating the approval.

Located along the northern coast, the Mulapeta Port is expected to emerge as a vital logistics hub, catering not only to Andhra Pradesh but also to neighbouring regions of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and southern Odisha. The port’s natural deep draft of around 20 metres allows it to handle large vessels of up to 2 lakh DWT , enhancing its capacity for bulk cargo movement.

Situated within close proximity to the shoreline and well connected to National Highway-16 and railway networks, the port is designed for seamless cargo evacuation. The project will initially feature four berths and is expected to handle about 15 million tonnes of cargo annually .

Naidu said the port aligns with his vision of developing ports as engines of economic growth , contributing to the larger goal of a “Viksit Bharat” through improved trade and industrial expansion.