AP Cabinet Nod To Captive Jetty Unit For AMNS Project
The captive port will have a capacity of 20.5 million tonnes with an investment of `5,816 crore
AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Cabinet meeting at Velagapudi Secretariat near Vijayawada on Thursday
Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Thursday formally sanctioned the establishment of a captive jetty at Rajayyapeta near Nakkapalli in Anakapalli district, about 70 km from here for the greenfield integrated steel plant being established by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AMNS)to produce 17.8 million tonnes in phases with a total investment of Rs1.4 lakh crore. Touted as the single largest port in Andhra Pradesh, the project proponent has recently launched a land acquisition process after the State Investment Promotion Board's approval for a slew of incentives was validated by the State Cabinet sometime ago.
The Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the Velagapudi Secretariat and attended by Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan and other Ministers, gave its nod to several crucial decisions. The Cabinet briefing was later made by Housing and IPR Minister Kolusu Parthasarathy.
The captive port will have a capacity of 20.5 million tonnes with an investment of Rs5,816 crore. It will provide job opportunities for 1,000 people. It will be completed by January, 2029.
Parthasarathy said the the phase two comprising 10.5 million tonnes will involve an investment of Rs5,382 crore. It will create 5,000 jobs by the time it is fully operational by 2033. The Minister said unlike the previous YSRCP Government, the coalition convinced the Central Government to withdraw privatisation decision of RINL and announce a revival package for the Visakhapatnam-based steel plant. He said both the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister had put up a lot of efforts to retain RINL in the public sector.
He said the State Government agreed to convert electricity arrears to the tune of Rs2,400 crore into equity in RINL in view of its critical financial position. He said the public sector unit is expected to make nominal profit from now onwards.
On port-led development, he said the government as part of Swarnandhra Vision has decided to set up more ports and fishing harbours and promote tourism in a big way. Keeping this in view, Parthasarathy said the bar fees for three star hotels, which was fixed at Rs66 lakh per annum, has been reduced to Rs.25 lakh. He said the move will not only help promote tourism but also create more number of employment opportunities. He said infrastructure is being augmented to promote temple tourism and encourage construction of more number of three star hotels across the State.
The Cabinet, among other things, resolved to separate AP Drone Corporation from AP State Fibernet Limited (APFSL) and make it a separate company, approved new rules for accreditation of journalists, construction of new wall for Nagarjunasagar Left Brach Main Canal Retaining Wall, give guarantee for a loan of Rs710 crore from HUDCO. The Cabinet also discussed the implementation of Matali Iki Vandanam and Annadata Sukhibhava schemes.
