The Navy has raised serious objections to the proposal to establish another major port at Nakkapalli in Visakhapatnam district in view of the alternative naval base coming up in the vicinity. Efforts are being made to persuade the naval authorities, it was stated by the State Minister for Ports, Infrastructure, and Investment, Mr G. Srinivasa Rao, at a review meeting here on Monday evening.

He said the technical committee had identified three places along the coast in the State for setting up another major port and Nakkapalli in Visakhapatnam district was found in all respects to be the most suitable.

He said many industries were coming up in the zone between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada and therefore Nakkapalli would be the ideal place to have another port. There would be enough cargo for the port and it would trigger growth in the area, he said.

In view of these factors, he made a plea to the naval authorities to reconsider their view and said a meeting should be convened with State officials to sort out the issue. A review meeting would be conducted in New Delhi on the proposed second major port in the State and a report favourable to Nakkapalli should be reported.

However, in spite of the Minister's pleas, it is learnt that the naval authorities stood their ground and the proposal may be shot down by the Navy at the Central level.

The Minister also requested the naval authorities to take steps to facilitate operation of flights round-the-clock at Visakhapatnam airport, as international airlines were not willing to connect Vizag with international destinations. The airport, it may be noted, is under the operational control of the Navy.

Though the infrastructure is ready at the airport for 24 hour operations and night-landing, at present flights are operated only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Silk Airways has made a proposal to connect Visakhapatnam with Singapore, but it is not possible unless the naval authorities co-operate and extend the working hours at the airport.

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