Ramayapatnam Port is approaching a key milestone, with more than three-fourths of construction completed as of November 2025, clearing the way for commissioning of Phase I in the first half of 2026. The deep-sea port, being developed under the supervision of the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board, is expected to drive industrial growth across Prakasam and Nellore districts and emerge as a cost-effective alternative to Visakhapatnam and Chennai ports. The greenfield port is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 49.22 billion across 2,000 acres near Chevuru in Gudluru mandal. Once fully developed, it will have the capacity to handle 138 million tonnes of cargo per annum. Phase I includes four multipurpose berths, with a further 19 berths planned in Phase II. According to APMB chairman Damacharla Sathya, major components already completed include two berths, both breakwaters, about 90 per cent of the four-lane NH-16 link road and around 20 per cent of the railway line. The remaining land required for the rail corridor is expected to be acquired within the next three months. Responding to requests from local fishermen, the government has also approved construction of a fishing jetty near the Murthimpeta rehabilitation colony, for which tenders have been invited. With Phase I nearing completion, port-led infrastructure is rapidly taking shape in the region. Warehousing and cargo-handling facilities are coming up, and private investment interest is rising. A leading warehousing firm has already committed Rs 13 billion to establish facilities in the port cluster. Nellore district collector Himanshu Shukla said heavy mechanical engineering companies are showing interest due to the port’s proximity to Chennai, Bengaluru, and the nearby Krishnapatnam and Ramayapatnam ports. He said the region is on track to develop into a major logistics hub and a nucleus for export-import activity. Land acquisition for the proposed BPCL refinery is progressing, with about 3,200 acres acquired out of the required 6,000 acres. The project has received environmental clearance, and the foundation stone is expected to be laid in February 2026. Indosol Solar is also preparing to begin construction in January 2026, with land acquisition nearing completion. Plans for a logistics park and prefabricated construction facilities are also under way, further strengthening the industrial ecosystem. Shukla noted that industrial development, earlier concentrated in southern Nellore, is now shifting northwards as MSMEs and small units gravitate towards the port-driven growth corridor. He added that Ramayapatnam Port will significantly benefit granite and aquaculture industries, as well as tobacco and subabul farmers.