Producers annoyed at switch in location of proposed Indian port

Farmers, as well as tobacco and granite exporters, have urged the government of India to establish a major new port at Ramaiahpatnam rather than move it to Dugarajapatnam, since the original location will be closer to production centres.The technical committee of experts found that the original site was the best to be found in that part of Andhra Pradesh, although intense lobbying persuaded the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to go for Dugarajapatnam.

Granite exporters that have mines in Prakasam district at Cheemakurthi favour the original decision, since annual consignments from there are worth more than $1.626 billion and they are currently poorly served by coastal ports.