**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 2320 in Lok Sabha, answered on February 13, 2026, concerning the development of Ramayapatnam and Machilipatnam Ports in Andhra Pradesh. It details the progress, timelines, funds, challenges, and anticipated benefits of the Phase-I developments of these ports, based on information furnished by the Government of Andhra Pradesh. The expected scheduled completion and commissioning dates for Phase-I of the Ramayapatnam Port project are November 2026 and May 2027, respectively. Similarly, for the Machilipatnam Port project, these dates are December 2026 and June 2027, respectively.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Port Development Control**
* Ports other than Major Ports (OTMP) are managed by respective State Governments.
* Ramayapatnam and Machilipatnam Ports development is through the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB).
* **Ramayapatnam Port (Phase-I)**
* Overall physical progress: 76.40% as of January 2026.
* Major milestones: Completion of one bulk berth and approach trestle; North and South breakwater activities completed behind schedule.
* Expected completion: November 2026; Commissioning: May 2027.
* Includes construction of breakwaters, dredging, reclamation, four berths, onshore facilities, and external connectivity infrastructure.
* Revised sanctioned cost: ₹ 4,929.39 crore, with ₹ 1668.00 crore utilized.
* Challenges: Forest-land clearance delays, land acquisition for resettlement, and force majeure events (cyclones).
* Expected cargo handling capacity: 34 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA).
* **Machilipatnam Port (Phase-I)**
* Overall physical progress: 51.20% as of January 2026.
* Major milestones: Construction of three multipurpose berths and one bulk berth.
* North Breakwater completed; South Breakwater (85%), dredging (38%), onshore works (35%), and external works (15%) in progress.
* Expected completion: December 2026; Commissioning: June 2027.
* Includes construction of breakwaters, dredging, reclamation, four berths, onshore facilities, and external connectivity infrastructure.
* Revised sanctioned cost: ₹ 5155.73 crore, with ₹ 1511.00 crore utilized.
* Expected cargo handling capacity: 35.12 MMTPA.
* **Mitigation Efforts by GoAP**
* Accelerating work progress through mobilizing machinery and manpower.
* Enhanced coordination with District Administration.
* Continuous monitoring of contractors and resource mobilization.
* Regular stakeholder reviews.
* **Anticipated Benefits (Both Ports)**
* Substantial direct and indirect employment opportunities.
* Port-led development.
* Strengthened supply chain integration across Andhra Pradesh.
**Impact Analysis**
**Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for the development of the ports through the APMB and respective development corporations.
* **Action Required:** Continue monitoring progress, addressing challenges, and coordinating efforts to ensure timely completion and commissioning of the projects.
**Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB) & Port Development Corporations (RPDCL/MPDCL)**
* **Impact:** Tasked with overseeing and executing the port development projects.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to timelines, manage resources effectively, and implement mitigation measures for any delays or challenges encountered.
**Local Communities**
* **Impact:** Potential employment opportunities and improved economic activity in the region. May also be affected by land acquisition and resettlement processes.
* **Action Required:** Engage in stakeholder consultations, cooperate with resettlement efforts (if applicable), and take advantage of employment and business opportunities.
**Businesses & Industries in Andhra Pradesh**
* **Impact:** Enhanced cargo handling capacity and supply chain integration.
* **Action Required:** Leverage the improved port infrastructure for logistical advantages, plan for increased trade volume, and contribute to port-led development.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The central government ministry responsible for the development of ports in India; the question is addressed to this ministry.
Ramayapatnam Port: One of the ports in Andhra Pradesh whose development is the subject of the question.
Machilipatnam Port: One of the ports in Andhra Pradesh whose development is the subject of the question.
Andhra Pradesh: The Indian state where Ramayapatnam and Machilipatnam Ports are located.
Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB): The state agency developing the ports.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2320
ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026
DEVELOPMENT OF RAMAYAPATNAM AND MACHILIPATNAM PORTS
2320. SHRI B K PARTHASARATHI:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न,पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) the details regarding the progress of development works at Ramayapatnam and
Machilipatnam Ports in Andhra Pradesh;
(b) the current status of implementation of each of these port projects, including
the percentage of work completed and major milestones achieved;
(c) the details regarding the timeline for completion of the said Port projects,
including expected commissioning dates and project phases;
(d) the details regarding the funds sanctioned, released and utilised for the
development of these ports, year and project-wise;
(e) whether any delays, cost escalations or implementation challenges have
been encountered in these projects, if so, the reasons therefor and steps taken by the
Government to expedite progress; and
(f) the anticipated economic and logistical benefits of these port developments for the
region, particularly with respect to cargo handling capacity, employment generation
and supply-chain integration?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (b) The Ports other than Major Ports (OTMP), also known as non-major or
minor ports, are under the administrative control of the respective State Governments
and development of these ports falls within their jurisdiction. As per information
furnished by the Government of Andhra Pradesh (GoAP), both Ramayapatnam and
Machilipatnam Ports are developed through Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB)
and its Special Purpose Vehicle, Ramayapatnam Port Development Corporation Limited(RPDCL) and Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation Limited (MPDCL). The
project involves implementation of major works such as breakwater construction,
dredging and reclamation, berth construction, onshore and external infrastructure
works. As of January 2026, the overall physical progress of Phase-I development of
Ramayapatnam Port is about 76.40%. The major milestones include the construction of
one bulk berth and the approach trestle while the major activities of North Breakwater
(1350 m) and South Breakwater (3700 m) was completed behind schedule. As regards
the Machilipatnam Port, the overall physical progress of Phase-I development is about
51.20%. The major milestones achieved include the construction of three multipurpose
berths and one bulk berth. The major activities of the North Breakwater (250 m) have
been completed, while the South Breakwater (2,047 m) is in progress at 85%, dredging
38%, onshore works 35% and external works 15% completed.
(c) As per information furnished by GoAP, the expected scheduled completion date
for Phase-I of the Ramayapatnam Port project is November 2026 and commissioning is
expected by May 2027. Phase-I development comprises construction of North and
South breakwaters, capital dredging and reclamation works, development of four berths
(three multipurpose berths and one bulk berth), development of onshore facilities, and
development of external connectivity infrastructure. As regards Machilipatnam Port, the
expected scheduled completion date for Phase-I of the project is December 2026 and
commissioning is expected by June 2027. Phase-I development comprises construction
of North and South breakwaters, capital dredging and reclamation works, development
of four berths (three multipurpose berths and one bulk berth), development of onshore
facilities, and development of external connectivity infrastructure.
(d) As per information furnished by GoAP, the revised administrative sanction cost
for Phase-I of the Ramayapatnam Port project is ₹ 4,929.39 crore, out of which an
amount of ₹1668.00 crore has been utilized. The Revised Administrative Sanction cost
for Phase-I of the Machilipatnam Port project is ₹ 5155.73 crore, out of which an amount
of ₹1511.00 crore has been utilized.
(e) As per information furnished by GoAP, Ramayapatnam Port project faced
several challenges including delays in securing forest-land clearances, acquiring land
for acquisition for Resettlement & Rehabilitation, and force majeure events such as
Cyclone Michaung (Dec 2023) and Montha (Oct 2025). In light of these setbacks, GoAP
directed the agency to accelerate work progress by mobilising adequate machinery,
manpower to mitigate the timelines. Additionally, measure such as closer coordination
with the District Administration, continuous monitoring of contractors and resource
mobilisation, and regular stakeholder reviews with all stakeholders etc. have also been
taken.(f) As per information furnished by GoAP, Ramayapatnam Port is expected to
provide cargo handling capacity of about 34 Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum (MMTPA)
in Phase-I, while Machilipatnam Port is expected to provide cargo handling capacity of
about 35.12 MMTPA in Phase-I. These ports are expected to generate substantial
direct and indirect employment opportunities, foster port-led development, and
strengthen supply chain integration across Andhra Pradesh.
*****