The Bhoomi Pooja of Mulapeta Port is bringing a decade-long desire of the people of northern Andhra to realization. A comprehensive development strategy intends to completely modify the appearance of the Srikakulam district. In Santhabommali mandal, the chief minister will perform Bhoomi Puja to Mulapeta Port, which will cost around 4,362 crore. The CM will also lay the groundwork for a fishing harbour worth 360 crore on the shores of Budagatlapalem in Etcherla mandal, as well as the Vamsadhara Lift Irrigation project from Gotta Barrage to Hiramandalam reservoir, which will cost 176.35 crore, and the Mahendratanaya offshore reservoir project, which will cost 852 crores, according to an official statement. The objective is to build four berths that will be used for general cargo, coal, multifunctional containers, and other purposes. Mulapeta Port plays a key role in handling exports and imports from states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and southern part of Odisha. The construction of new ports in the state at a cost of 16,000 crore is planned at Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam, Kakinada Gateway and Mulapeta, thereby creating huge employment opportunities and facilitating exports at low transportation cost, the release said. A Relief and Rehabilitation package of 109 crore has been sanctioned to the 594 displaced families of Vishnuchakram and Mulapeta villages. Under this, the construction of R&R colony in Naupada village in 55 acres, with modern amenities, will be started. The Mulapeta Port provides direct and indirect employment to 25,000 people. Ministers Appalaraju and Amarnath said the state government is constructing four seaports in four years. The construction of Ramayapatnam Port has started and the works of Kakinada SEZ Port are in fast mode. The foundation for the Machilipatnam Port is to be laid soon, they said. Explaining the features of Mulapeta Port, the ministers said the port capacity is 23.5 million tonnes per annum, with four berths. A four-lane highway for a stretch of 13.8km connecting NH16 and a 10.6km railway lane from Naupada junction to the port would be constructed. A 50km pipeline from Gotta barrage to supply 0.5 million litres of water per day and a cargo-handling and port-led industries in 5000 acres of land adjacent to the port are helpful to fishermen families to get employment and works, they said. The ministers said Visakhapatnam, a fast-growing city, is changing the facade of northern Andhra. The foundation stone for the Bhogapuram International Airport is to be laid next month. A six-lane highway between Bhogapuram and Visakhapatnam is planned. The International Data Centre is to be set up in Visakhapatnam next month and the works of the Fishing Harbour at Manchineelapeta are progressing at a brisk pace. Mulapeta Port would be the central point for the import of raw materials required for key industries, like thermal coal, coking coal, fertilizers, raw cashew nuts, limestone and cooking oils. There also is an opportunity to export and import coal and pig iron required by steel manufacturing companies and to export pig iron, mineral sand, cashew nuts, granite, ferro products, jute, iron, steel products and fish products. They said the Mulapeta Port-linked logistics would help farmers export their agricultural produce and also help in industrialization of the coastal areas and the areas surrounding the port. See also:Work on Kerala’s Bhavanapadu, Bandar ports to beginCM Jagan to lay stone for Machilipatam port soon..