*Govt pushing harbour privatization; fishermen’s livelihood at risk*

Srikakulam, March 13: Former Minister and YSRCP Medical Wing President Seediri Appalaraju stated that the Andhra Pradesh coalition government led by N. Chandrababu Naidu is aggressively pursuing privatization of public assets and targeting projects meant for fishermen’s welfare. Speaking at the YSRCP office in Srikakulam, Appalaraju said the government is attempting to hand over the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, built during the tenure of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, to private entities instead of making it operational for fishermen. He demanded that the government immediately withdraw the decision and continue the construction and operationalization of fishing harbours initiated during the YSRCP government, warning that fishermen across the state would launch an agitation if the move is not reversed.
Appalaraju stated that since coming to power, the coalition government has been systematically moving toward privatization of roads, ports, hospitals, and irrigation projects under the PPP model. He criticized the move to privatize government medical colleges and said the same approach is now being extended to fishing harbours, which are crucial for the livelihood of coastal fishing communities. He stated that Minister Nara Lokesh recently laid the foundation for a project by Sagar Defence Engineering Limited at the harbour site, and that the government plans to allocate 29 acres out of the 70-acre harbour area to the private company. The harbour infrastructure includes an 809-meter quay capable of accommodating 1,250 mechanized boats, breakwaters, and dedicated areas for fish processing plants and boat yards. Despite being inaugurated earlier, fishermen have reportedly not been allowed to use the harbour.
He noted that the YSRCP government had sanctioned 10 fishing harbours and 6 jetties across the state after hearing the grievances of fishermen during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s padayatra. Under the first phase, projects including Juvvaladinne, Machilipatnam, Uppada, and Nizampatnam were taken up with an investment of about Rs. 1,522 crore, with most nearing completion despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Appalaraju also criticized the government’s decision to downgrade the proposed Biyyaputippa Harbour project into a fish landing center despite Rs. 429 crore earlier being allocated for a full harbour. He said allocating a completed harbour to private companies amounts to betrayal of fishermen and deprives them of their livelihood.
He questioned why defense-related industries were being placed within a fishing harbour zone when alternative locations such as the shipbuilding cluster near Dugarajapatnam or Krishnapatnam Port could be used. He warned that if the government continues to privatize harbours meant for fishermen, the coastal community will launch a statewide agitation.
Responding to reporters’ questions, Appalaraju also welcomed the first kidney transplant performed at the YSR Kidney Research Centre, stating that the facility and healthcare initiatives for kidney patients in the Uddanam region, such as pensions and dialysis centers, were implemented during the tenure of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.