Amaravati, July 20: Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has leveled serious allegations against the Chandrababu Naidu government regarding the privatization of Ramayapatnam Port. He claimed that the state government is attempting to turn this project into a scam to benefit top leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Jagan Mohan Reddy took to the social media platform ‘X’ to express his concerns, stating that the government is preparing to hand over the Ramayapatnam Port, developed at a cost of ₹4,929 crores, to private companies for just ₹1,500 crores in advance. This move, he warned, would lead to significant losses for the state treasury.
He further alleged that even after privatization, the state government would be burdened with debts exceeding ₹3,500 crores. He questioned Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, asking, “What kind of economy is this?”
The YSRCP leader emphasized that port-based development is crucial for Andhra Pradesh‘s economic progress. He claimed that his government had made remarkable advancements in the development of Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam, and Mulapeta ports.
He noted that before June 2024, his government had completed essential processes such as land acquisition, legal approvals, financial closure, and EPC contracts for these projects, resulting in substantial physical progress.
Jagan mentioned that several major industrial investment proposals linked to Ramayapatnam Port could play a vital role in the state’s economic development. He cited that BPCL is set to establish a greenfield refinery and petrochemical complex with a capacity of 9 to 12 MMTPA, involving an investment of over ₹1 lakh crores. This project will utilize the port’s deep-water capacity for crude oil imports.
He also highlighted that Indosol Solar is establishing an integrated “Quartz-to-Module” manufacturing plant nearby, where the port’s proximity will be crucial for raw material imports and the export of finished solar modules.
Additionally, Jagan stated that JSW Steel is developing two berths at Ramayapatnam Port to transport raw materials like iron ore and coking coal for an integrated steel plant being constructed in YSR Kadapa district.
He asserted that all these projects would create significant employment opportunities and contribute to increasing both tax and non-tax revenues in the state.
The YSRCP leader accused the TDP government of focusing solely on transforming Ramayapatnam Port into a purported scam to raise funds for its leaders, despite the immense economic benefits at stake.
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