To handle cargoes of Ports, Airports, Roads, Railways, and Inland Waterways

AP’s Chief Minister, Mr N. Chandra- babu Naidu, has directed officials to establish a Logistics Corporation to handle all cargo transport needs for Andhra Pradesh as well as neighbouring states.

Holding a recent review meeting on industries and infrastructure at the state secretariat, he suggested that all cargo transport, including that through ports, airports, roads, railways, and inland waterways, be managed by this corporation.

Stating that every port and airport should be developed into an economic hub, he informed that plans are underway to construct 20 ports and several new airports across the state.

“We should develop satellite townships connected to these ports and airports. This will lead to the growth of new regions, expansion of economic activity, and wealth creation.

We must prepare a blueprint on where and how such integrated development can be implemented,” noted the Chief Minister. He therefore said that special attention must be paid to cargo transport.

“Andhra Pradesh should serve as the hub for road, rail, air cargo, inland, and maritime cargo networks.

This will enable cost-effective transportation of goods.  If all forms of cargo transport are made available here, development will accelerate.  Ports and airports should be connected to national highways and railway networks,” said the CM.

Mr Naidu also emphasized Inland waterway connectivity and said that it should also be developed to facilitate higher cargo movement from the state.

The CM stressed that suitable agencies should be identified for developing satellite townships near ports and airports under the PPP model.

The Logistics Corporation should act as a growth engine for the state’s economic development. Similarly, plans should be made to develop satellite townships near MSME parks being set up in all 175 constituencies.

Works related to the construction of Kuppam and Dagadarthi airports must be expedited, with land acquisition completed within the stipulated time so that construction can commence.

Internal roads should be laid to connect these airports with national highways. If required, viability gap funding may be utilised.