Krishna district, April 18: Joy is writ large on the faces of youths in the village, and trepidation on those of their elders.
It is the prospect of jobs aplenty that has the younsters elated, with government issuing orders to the Navayuga Company to take up construction of Machilipatnam Port as lead promoter in place of Maytas, while the fisherfolk who comprise the older members of the community are worried about loss of livelihood. And, in general, the inhabitants are apprehensive about the inevitable displacement.
They had nearly given up hope, says a youngster, Ede Durga Rao, what with the foundation stone laid by former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy way back in April 2008 caked in dust. But now they are again looking forward to employment at the port, whether direct or indirect.
It could be a way out of hunger and poverty, chips in Rajesh, who has studied up to Class X and is confident of getting some work in the port.
It was on 23 April 2008 that the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy laid the foundation for Machilipatnam port at Chinnakaragraharam village. To begin with, the works were awarded to Maytas Infra (lead promoter) and NCC Constructions.
With Maytas failing to take up the works, the State Government has now awarded the same to Navayuga company.
Last week, when Bandar MLA Perni Venkataramaiah reached the foundation site amidst bursting of crackers to mark Cabinet’s decision to get on with the project, there were deep furrows on the brows of fisherfolk even as the youngsters celebrated.
Over a hundred families in the village are dependent on fishing, says a fisherman, Meka Anjaiah, and wonders whether they would be allowed to continue once the port started coming up. Sharing his fears is fellow fisherman Yedukondalu.
As for Machilipatnam town, politicians and public have welcomed the issuance of the orders yesterday by the Department of Ports and Basic Infrastructure.
From the beginning, the works have been stalled for one reason or another.
When Maytas tried to take up works at Gogileru instead of Gilakaladindi near Machilipatnam, MLA Perni Venkataramaiah and several others leaders launched an agitation. At last, the company agreed to site the construction near Gilakaladindi and sought additional funds to the tune of Rs 335 crore — to which the Government agreed.
Speaking to Express, Perni Venkataramaiah said that once the port works commenced the economic scenario of Krishna ditrict would be transformed.
He was hopeful that land assignment would begin in a month or two as Chief Minister K Rosaiah had agreed to release Rs 20 crore towards payment of compensation under land assignment.
The State Government has agreed to acquire 2000 acres to the port and 4000 acres of land to portbased industries. The government has acquired 400 acres so far.
–Agencies