Phase I of Ramayapatnam Port Set for Commissioning in Mid-2026

Nellore: Ramayapatnam Port is set to reach a significant milestone, with over three-fourths of its works completed as of November 2025. This paves way for commissioning of Phase I of the port in the first half of 2026.

Officials say the deep-sea port being developed under the supervision of Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB) will catalyse industrial growth in a major way in both Prakasam and Nellore districts, positioning itself as a cost-effective alternative to Visakhapatnam and Chennai ports.

The Greenfield port, being constructed at a cost of ₹4,922 crore across 2,000 acres near Chevuru in Gudluru mandal, is designed to handle 138 million tonnes of cargo per annum, with four multipurpose berths in the first phase and 19 additional berths planned in the second phase.

Infrastructure works around the port have picked up pace. According to APMB chairman Damacharla Sathya, completed portions of the port are two berths, both breakwaters, 90 per cent of the four-lane NH-16 link road, and 20 per cent of the railway line. The land required for completing the remaining rail corridor is expected to be acquired within three months.

The board chairman said responding to requests from fishermen in the area, the government has approved construction of a fishing jetty near the Murthimpeta rehabilitation colony, for which tenders have already been invited.

With the first phase of Ramayapatnam port in sight, port-related infrastructure is rapidly emerging in the region, including warehouses and cargo-handling facilities. The area has begun to attract significant private investment. A leading warehousing firm has already committed ₹1,300 crore to establish facilities in the cluster.

According to Nellore district collector Himanshu Shukla, heavy mechanical engineering firms are showing interest in the port, owing to its proximity to Chennai, Bengaluru, and Krishnapatnam and Ramayapatnam ports. He underlined that the region is on track to become a major logistics hub and a nucleus for export-import activities.

Land acquisition for the proposed BPCL refinery is in full swing, with 3,200 acres of the required 6,000 acres already acquired. The project has received environmental clearance. The foundation stone for the refinery is expected to be laid in February 2026.

Indosol Solar is preparing to begin construction work in January 2026, with land acquisition for the unit nearing completion. Plans are also in place for a logistics park and prefabricated construction facilities, which are expected to further strengthen the industrial ecosystem.

Collector Shukla observed that industrial development, long concentrated in the southern parts of Nellore district, is now shifting northward, as MSMEs and small-scale units are now gravitating toward the new port-driven growth corridor.

He indicated that Ramayapatnam Port will greatly benefit granite and aquaculture industries, as well as tobacco and subabul farmers.