Vijayawada: Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday directed officials to prepare AP Maritime Policy with port development, port proximal area development, shipbuilding clusters, and allied maritime activities as the main themes. Asking them to identify focus areas within each theme, he said the govt aims to make Andhra Pradesh a maritime hub and a world-class maritime state by leveraging its strategic location and 1,053km-long coastline.
In a review meeting with officials on maritime policy, Naidu asked them to focus on the development of high-capacity ports by adopting the hub and spoke model. He suggested adopting a multipronged approach by integrating industries, R&B, and tourism departments with port proximal areas. He further instructed officials to explore opportunities to link all three industrial corridors in the state for future development and to tap the hinterland cargo to the ports.
Highlighting the need for inclusivity in development projects, Naidu told officials to make public partners in infrastructure development projects. He advocated adopting the P4 model to encourage the development of fishing harbours and ports with the participation of people. The chief minister further asked officials to explore opportunities in shipbuilding and ship repairs sector by involving global players, observing that there is vast potential in this sector if the state can leverage technology and enhance industry standards.
Emphasising on implementing a hybrid model for inland waterways, including Ro-Ro and Ro-Pax services, and integrating tourism and green energy initiatives within the maritime sector, he asked officials to partner with the Indian Maritime University (IMU), CEMS, and IITs for knowledge sharing, skill development, and research, and to establish a state-of-the-art maritime university in AP. He further suggested introducing regulatory reforms in the sector with best practices in arbitration and dispute resolution mechanisms.
Naidu also reviewed the sand availability and supply situation in the state. He directed officials of the mining department to prepare a district-wise cost structure for further reduction in sand transportation costs. Officials were told to identify the nearest sourcing points to make sand more affordable. He also suggested strengthening border check-posts to curb illegal transportation of sand.
