After targeting government medical colleges, the Chandrababu-led coalition has now set its sights on the ports and fishing harbours developed by Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Under the pretext of “PPP development” and “new port cities,” the government is preparing to hand over critical public assets, built with thousands of crores of public money, to private hands. What Chandrababu never built in 14 years as Chief Minister, he now wants to privatize in five months.
From Medical Colleges to Ports: One Sector After Another Pushed into PPP
Just weeks after moving 10 of the 17 government medical colleges into PPP, the coalition government has begun the same process for ports and fishing harbours. To mask this handover, they are promoting the concept of “new cities around ports,” with the help of friendly media outlets. Chandrababu, who never constructed even a single government medical college or a single port, is now attempting to privatize the very assets created under Jagan’s five-year tenure. The excuse used? “There is no money to continue Jagan’s projects.” The reality?. A systematic effort to transfer state-owned infrastructure into private hands under the banner of PPP.
54 Public institutions privatized earlier: Ports Added to the List
Chandrababu’s record is clear: privatisation at any cost. After having privatized 54 public-sector institutions in the past, he is now moving to privatize:
- 3 major ports: Ramayapatnam, Machilipatnam, Mulapeta
- 10 fishing harbours across the coast
Tenders have already been issued. All of these projects were being built entirely under government control during Jagan’s tenure.
A Coastline of 974 km: Chandrababu Did Nothing for 14 Years
Andhra Pradesh has the second-longest coastline in India, 974 km of immense potential. Yet, during his 14 years as CM, Chandrababu never made a serious effort to build port-led economic cities or develop ports meaningfully. Before the 2019 elections, he made a few publicity announcements without plans or permissions, and abandoned them immediately afterward.
Jagan’s Vision: A Port or Fishing Harbour Every 50 km
When Y.S. Jagan became Chief Minister, he unlocked the true potential of the coastline. His government:
- Planned one port or fishing harbour every 50 km
- Launched construction of 4 ports simultaneously
- Began building 10 fishing harbours
- Started 6 fish landing centres
- Allocated nearly ₹25,000 crore to coastal development
Ports developed under YS Jagan
| Port | Estimated Cost | Status |
| Ramayapatnam | ₹3,736 crore | Near completion |
| Machilipatnam | ₹5,155 crore | ~80% complete |
| Mulapeta | ₹4,361 crore | ~80% complete |
| Kakinada Gateway | ₹2,123 crore | Progressing |
If completed, these ports were projected to add ₹9,000 crore to Andhra Pradesh’s GDP.
Impact on Fishing Communities
- 10 fishing harbours planned
- Benefits for 6.3 lakh fishermen across 555 villages
No other state in India has undertaken such rapid, large-scale maritime development.
Coalition Government Halts All Work — Then Announces Privatization
Despite two years lost to COVID, Jagan’s government pushed ports and harbours close to completion. Funds were secured through banks, and financial closure was completed even before construction began.
Yet, the moment the coalition came to power in July 2024:
- All project work was stopped
- No technical or financial reason was given
- No consultation was held with companies already constructing the ports
Within months, tenders were issued to privatize these assets — even before construction was finished. Experts are questioning how “modernization tenders” can be released before the ports are operational.
Privatizing Fishing Harbours too
All ten fishing harbours, meant to improve livelihoods, halt migration, and strengthen fisheries are now listed for privatization.
Examples:
- Juvvaladinne Harbour completed and inaugurated by PM Modi
- Others like Nizampatnam, Uppada, Machilipatnam, Budagatlapalem, Pudi Madaka, Kottapatnam, Biyyaputhippa, OdaRevu are in various stages of completion
- Yet, tenders have been issued to hand over their development and operation to private operators.
What YS Jagan Achieved in 5 Years, Chandrababu Couldn’t Achieve in 14
YS Jagan put Andhra Pradesh on the path to becoming a major maritime economy. Ports, fishing harbours, industrial parks, logistics hubs — all were progressing rapidly. Had the new government continued his work, the lifestyle and income levels of coastal communities would have transformed. But to deny Jagan credit, Chandrababu stalled everything and began reversing progress through PPP privatization. Even projects like the IndoSol solar facility near Ramayapatnam — for which land was already allocated — have been blocked.
₹25,000 Crore in Ports & Infrastructure — Now at Risk of Being Sold Off
Jagan’s government invested massive public funds:
Ports – Total ~₹25,000 crore
- Ramayapatnam: ₹3,736 cr
- Machilipatnam: ₹5,156 cr
- Mulapeta: ₹4,361 cr
- Kakinada Gateway: ₹2,123 cr
Fishing Harbours – Total ₹3,520 crore
- Juvvaladinne: ₹288.8 cr
- Nizampatnam: ₹451 cr
- Uppada: ₹361 cr
- Budagatlapalem: ₹365.8 cr
- Pudi Madaka: ₹392.53 cr
- Kottapatnam: ₹392.53 cr
- OdaRevu: ₹417.55 cr
- Biyyaputhippa: ₹429.43 cr
- (Manninithippa – DPR stage)
Together, they directly benefit nearly 60,858 fishermen, a transformative impact now under threat.
Conclusion
Chandrababu Naidu’s new push for PPP is not development, it is the systematic transfer of public wealth to private hands. From medical colleges to ports and fishing harbours, every public asset created under Jagan’s governance is being targeted. While Jagan built ports, harbours, and coastal infrastructure from scratch, Chandrababu is now preparing to hand them over under the cover of “port cities” and “PPP clusters.” This is not a vision. This is not reform. This is privatisation disguised as development, and Andhra Pradesh’s long-term economic future is at stake.
