Nellore :

In an attempt to launch the Dugarajapatnam port works even before election notification is issued, the district administration on Tuesday handed over about 170 acres of land to the Visakhapatnam port authorities.

District collector N Srikanth said that VSP would act as nodal agency to carry out the works at Dugarajapatnam port, which is the state’s second major public sector port on which the Centre is investing nearly Rs.8,000 crore. Although, 5,028 acres have been earmarked for the construction of port near Tupilipalem village near Dugarajapatnam, the district administration handed over only around 170 acres following government instructions.

“This is only the first phase of land transfer. The remaining land would be transferred in a phased manner as we have readied the blueprint for land acquisition,” said Srikanth.

According to sources, local MP Chinta Mohan is working overtime to bring either UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi or Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to lay the foundation stone for the prestigious project before the first week of March. However, none of them have reportedly confirmed their visit to the state yet. While Sonia Gandhi wanted to visit one of the Telangana districts first, Manmohan Singh will be on a foreign tour in the first week of March.

Chinta Mohan is allegedly working hard to launch the port works before the election notification is issued and is expected to invite Union ministers and other top leaders to lay the foundation in case he fails to get the appointment of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / February 27th, 2014