The new Andhra Pradesh, which relies mainly on its 900-km-long coastline for its economic growth, will announce its new maritime policy within a month to pave the way for the development of major and minor ports, according to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
He was speaking to the media here on Wednesday afternoon after participating in an event, Andhra talks business, hosted by Fortune India magazine, in which CEOs of several prominent companies participated. He said that when Japan, a small island nation, could boast of more than 100 ports, there was no reason why AP should not have 15-20 ports.
"From Bhavanapadu in Srikakulam district to Dugarajapatnam in Nellore district, we want to develop ports with the participation of the private sector. A comprehensive maritime policy will be formulated within a month," he said. In response to a question, he said it would be decided after the formulation of the policy whether or not to constitute a State maritime board or a similar agency for the purpose.
He said the State had land, water, mineral resources, ports, and other requisite infrastructure and "therefore it will be an ideal destination for investors. We are streamlining the policy in such a way that anyone seeking to set up an industrial unit in the State will get all approvals within 21 days. Unless the permission of the Union Government is required, we will not take any more time. The ease of doing business in the State will attract investors. Many procedures for obtaining permissions can be completed online."
He said the incentives to be given to industries would also be released promptly. "The previous Congress Government has left us with arrears of Rs 1,500 crore to be paid to industries in the State in the form of incentives. We have already cleared Rs 1,000 crore and the rest will be cleared soon," he said.
In response to a question, he said discussions were on with the Centre on the proposed special status promised to AP at the time of bifurcation of the State and the special package. On the promised Central assistance of Rs 1,000 crore for Hudhud cyclone relief, he said some more amount had to be obtained from the Centre. "We have already spent more than Rs 1,000 crore on cyclone relief," he added.
Referring specifically to projects in Vizag, he said the State Government would soon release the promised Rs 60 crore for the Visakhapatnam Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS) and ensure that it becomes operational. On the IT signature tower to be built atop Rishikonda hill, he said the foundation stone for the project would be laid in January. Tenders would be floated soon.