Amaravati

The Andhra Pradesh government has sanctioned over Rs 500 crore for acquiring more than 2,000 acres of land for the development of the Dugarajapatnam Greenfield Port and Shipbuilding Cluster, an official said on Thursday.

The proposed port and shipbuilding cluster will require 2,171 acres of land, identified across Vakadu mandal in Tirupati district and Kota mandal in Nellore district.

“After careful examination of the matter, the government hereby accords administrative sanction of Rs 544.3 crore for acquisition of 2,170.7 acres of land for the development of the Dugarajapatnam Greenfield Port and Shipbuilding Cluster,” said M T Krishna Babu, Special Chief Secretary, Infrastructure and Investment (Ports) Department, in a recent government order.

Of the total land identified, 1,932 acres fall under patta land and habitation, while 239 acres are government land.

In Tirupati district, land has been earmarked in four villages — Pathetipalem (251 acres), Vagarru (530 acres), Valamedu (724 acres) and Pamanji (489 acres) — accounting for 1,995 acres.

In Nellore district’s Kota mandal, 176 acres have been identified, including 46 acres in Kothapatnam village and 129 acres in Puchalapalli.

According to the government order, the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB) stated that RITES has prepared the technical feasibility report for the project, which assessed the requirement of 2,171 acres of land.

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The total tentative cost for land acquisition across both districts has been estimated at Rs 544.3 crore, Krishna Babu said, adding that the APMB will mobilise funds to meet the acquisition expenses.