From Ports To Power: Five Upcoming Infrastructure Projects In Andhra Pradesh To Spur Economic Growth And Development

Andhra Pradesh, one of India's fastest-growing states, is currently undertaking several mega infrastructure projects that could spur growth and development in the region. Here are five upcoming projects that are set to transform the state's economic and social landscape.

1. Polavaram Lift Irrigation Project

The Polavaram Irrigation Project is a multipurpose project located on the river Godavari.

This project aims to develop a total irrigation potential of 4,36,825 hectares, generate 960 MW of hydropower, provide drinking water to a population of 28.50 lakhs in 611 villages, and divert 80 TMC of water to the Krishna River basin.

June 2024 is the revised deadline for the completion of the Polavaram project.

2. Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC)

The VCIC is an important component of India's first coastal corridor, the East Coast Economic Corridor (ECEC), stretching about 800 km through nine districts in Andhra Pradesh.

It connects India to the economies of ASEAN and East Asia, and is seen as a key driver of India's Act East Policy and Make in India initiative.

Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Donakonda, and Yerpedu-Srikalahasti industrial nodes have been designated as vital components of the economic corridor development.

3. Ramayapatnam Port

The Andhra Pradesh government is building Ramayapatnam Port on the EPC model. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 3,560 crore, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 58:42. The port is planned to be built in two phases. The first phase is estimated to cost Rs 3,736 crore.

It is proposed to have four berths, including one coal berth, two container berths, and one multipurpose berth with a cargo handling capacity of 25 million tonnes.

The cargo handling capacity will be increased by 113.63 million tonnes in phase 2 with an investment of Rs 6,904 crore, bringing the total capacity to 138.54 million tonnes a year from 19 berths.

Aiming for an integrated development of the coastline, close to 2000 acres of land is being allocated for the setting-up of port-based industries by the state government.

4. Bhogapuram Greenfield International Airport

The Bhogapuram International Airport is located about 50 km from Visakhapatnam in Vizianagaram district. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 4,592 crore. The airport will be a Smart Airport with an inclusive approach to environmental sustainability and regional social development. The project will accommodate six million passengers yearly and is estimated to be completed in 36 months.

5. Greenfield Mulapeta Port

The Mulapeta port will have a capacity of 23.53 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) developed under Phase-I and another 83.3 MMTPA under Phase II. The port location is roughly about 85 nautical miles off the northeast of Visakhapatnam Port.

Once the port development is complete, Mulapeta is expected to cater to the movement of iron ore, coal, limestone, edible oil, general cargo such as mineral sand, iron and steel products, fertilisers, granite, ferro products, jute products and food products such as soya and cashew.