AP Cabinet Clears ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel’s Captive Port Project at DL Puram.

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on Thursday approved a proposal by ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd (AM/NSL) to set up a captive port at DL Puram in Anakapalli district. The port will have a waterfront of 2.9 km and will be developed following an amendment to a clause in the KGPL Port Concession Agreement, which currently restricts the commissioning of competing ports.

The Cabinet also approved the demerger of Andhra Pradesh Drones Corporation (APDC) from the Andhra Pradesh State FiberNet Ltd (APSFL), enabling APDC to function as an independent entity and act as the nodal agency for all drone-related activities in the state.

In the energy sector, the Cabinet gave its nod for a government guarantee of ₹710 crore in favour of HUDCO and cleared the implementation of an arbitration award between NECL and APGENCO related to the Polavaram Hydro Electric Project.

Among other infrastructure approvals, financial clearance was granted for the construction of a retaining wall at Vempadu Major of the Nagarjuna Sagar Left Branch Canal under the Chinthalapudi Lift Irrigation Scheme. The Cabinet also approved the formation of a 100% state-owned special purpose vehicle—Jala Harathi Corporation—under the Water Resources Department to execute the Polavaram–Banakacherla Link Project.

In a move to support the hospitality sector, the Cabinet approved a proposal to reduce the bar license fee to ₹25 lakh for hotels rated 3-star and above.

HBL