TDP leader and former B.C. Welfare Minister Kollu Ravindra on Tuesday said that any attempt to permit the Telangana government to develop Machilipatnam deep sea port would not be tolerated, given the interests of the people of Andhra Pradesh on maritime trade and the pride associated with the project.
Referring to ‘a secret government order’ issued on June 28, Mr. Ravindra expressed dismay over the way the A.P. government was proceeding with the prestigious project.
“The first phase of the project is supposed to be commissioned by early 2020. Machinery has been withdrawn from the port site, but Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy is yet to offer any clarity on the issue, ” the former Minister said.
Mr. Ravindra also alleged that preliminary consent has been given to alienate 8,000 acres of land for the project during secret talks between Mr. Jagan and his Telangana counterpart K. Chandrasekhar Rao and attended by Transport Minister Perni Nani who represents Machilipatnam in the Assembly.