The Hindu : Machilipatnam port crying for modernisation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 05, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Vijayawada

Machilipatnam port crying for modernisation

By M. Rajeev

VIJAYAWADA, MARCH 4. The claims of the State Government on developing infrastructure and promoting business opportunities notwithstanding, the Machilipatnam port and fishing harbour stand a symbol of official apathy.

The port, which used to handle export of different items weighing more than 2.7 lakh tonnes and imports of 37,000 tonnes, is crying for proper facilities to regain its glory. It had not seen any major ship anchoring there for over a decade and a half, after M.V. Dalakhi of Malta left the port in the late '80s.

The Government, of course, initiated measures like construction of sheds, berth surface, auction hall and other civil works recently. But, a majority of the blocks still remain unoccupied.

An occasional visitor to the port would be surprised to find that not even formal security arrangements are in place to prevent unwanted elements from entering the land through the approach channel.

The tugs to pilot ships to the harbour have been removed and the cargo boats stationed in the port have been declared condemned.

The Government, on its part, reduced the staff strength manning the port operations further weakening the prospects of its growth.

The situation has gone to such an extent that local residents have launched indefinite fast in support of their demand for port modernisation as it would improve their living conditions.

The indefinite fast, launched on January 29, initially by the Bar Association of Machilipatnam, is being continued by workers and employees' unions at present.

"Despite several reports by consultants to improve the facilities, the Government has not taken steps to create them,'' representatives of the agitating groups say.

The Port Department officials, however, claimed that efforts were already in place to improve the port. "All the civil works have been completed and some of the blocks have been formally inaugurated.

We are going ahead with setting up of an ice plant and a petrol station in association with the Irrigation Department,'' points out the Superintending Engineer and in-charge of the Machilipatnam port civil works, Radhakrishna Murthy.

Speaking to The Hindu on Thursday from Kakinada, Mr. Murthy said that the department had also launched works like dredging operations and the wireless station at the Shore Control Authority office was made operational again. Work on laying of concrete approach roads to the port and shifting the offices of the port authority on to the premises was also under way.

"Once the works are completed, the port will have all the required facilities to recommence the operations,'' he said.

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