GoM to consider proposal to enhance infrastructure, extend time for completion of Ramayapatnam Port works-OxBig News Network

The Government of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday constituted a Group of Ministers’ (GoM) committee to examine the proposal for enhancing the dredging, reclamation and internal & external (road & rail) connectivity works and Extension of Time (EoT) for completion of the Phase-I works at the Ramayapatnam Port and make suitable recommendations.

The GoM comprises the Ministers of Finance, Infrastructure & Investment, and Tourism, while the Secretary (Infrastructure & Investment) will be its convener.

The government had in February 2020 constituted a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) — the Ramayapatnam Port Development Corporation Limited (RPDCL) — for taking up port development and port-led development.

Simultaneously, administrative sanction had been given for phase-I works with a cost of ₹3,736.14 crore, and the same was later revised to ₹4,929 crore as recommended by the technical committee.

The construction of the port was being done under the overall supervision of the A.P. Maritime Board (APMB). The scheduled date of completion of the project was June 23, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the APMB sought the government’s guidance on the proposal for enhancement of the existing infrastructure to ensure the port’s commercial viability and its ability to handle the projected cargo volume of 34.04 MMTPA — primarily coal and iron ore — stating that it was essential to increase the port’s draft from 16m to 18.5m.

This would enable the port to accommodate Cape size and Super Cape size vessels, aligning its capabilities with regional and global shipping trends such as additional dredging at approach channel and berth pockets, additional railway lines up to the proposed backup yard behind three multi-purpose berths, development of backup yard infrastructure for storage of cargo, movement of trucks, and operation of material handling equipment, and additional external road connectivity and internal road connectivity within the port.

The APMB also requested Extension of Time (EoT) up to April 27, 2026, to the contractor for completion of the works due to analysis of work stoppages, delays in land handover, etc.

To consider the proposal, the GoM was constituted and asked to submit its report / recommendations at an early date.