Vodarevu, Nizampatnam ports, corridor project in a limbo

Vodarevu, Nizampatnam ports, corridor project in a limbo

M. Venkateswara Rao

Only part acquisition of land in Prakasam and Guntur completed so far

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Project also envisages airport near Ongole, six industrial parks, power plants etc

Work on Vodarevu port not started due to delay in transferring the land to Director of Ports

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ONGOLE: The ambitious Vodarevu And Nizampatnam Port and Industrial Corridor (VANPIC) project has not made any progress except garnering a huge chunk of land in Prakasam and Guntur districts in the last three years. The project envisages development of two ports at Vodarevu and Nizampatnam, an airport near Ongole, six industrial parks, two power plants etc. It wanted to buy nearly 15,000 acres of land at its own cost in the two districts on behalf of the State government and adjust the amount against lease rentals to the government later. The promoter would develop the land, provide infrastructure and allot the land to industrialists to spur industrial growth and create employment opportunities to local youth. Chief Executive Officer, K Upendra Rao told The Hindu that care was taken to avoid acquisition of agricultural lands, habitations or environmentally sensitive areas like mangroves. Land acquisition for the project replaced only 900 families, he said. But much of the coastal land was saline and barren and assigned to Dalits decades ago. The beneficiaries had either deserted the land or sold it away to others. The government can declare all such transactions null and void and take back the land. But to avoid problems, the government issued an order permitting such sales and helped Vanpic purchase the land from those currently in possession of it.

Clearance awaited

Mr. Upendra Rao said that they purchased 1500 acres of land for airport 4-5 km from Ongole town. They require 700 acres for first phase. They obtained first level clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and second level clearance is awaited.

All clearances were obtained for Vodarevu port coming up on 2000 acres. Vanpic has purchased 1,500 acres till now. Farmers went to court stalling acquisition of remaining land. Navayuga Constructions would develop the port for Vanpic on turn-key basis at a cost of Rs. 2,500 crore. Work on the port could not be started due to delay in transferring the land to Director of Ports who would in turn enter into a lease agreement with Vanpic. Nizampatnam port is lagging far behind without clearances.

Vodarevu port would import coal for two thermal power stations coming up in its vicinity. While AP Genco is setting up 1600 MW plant near Kanaparthi village about 15 km south of the port, Power Finance Corporation and Central Electricity Authority of India are jointly setting up an ultra mega power project with 4000 MW capacity six km north of the port. While Vanpic is allotting 800 acres for mega power project, Genco is acquiring land on its own. Vanpic is allotting 8000 acres of land for developing six industrial parks in the region. Hong Kong based consultancy- Accom will submit its master plan in the next two months. A road show is planned and there was good response from Japan , Korea, Taiwan etc, Mr. Rao said.