Andhra Pradesh’s ancient port city Machilipatnam, once a thriving maritime trade hub, is being revived with the development of a Greenfield deep-water port at Manginapudi. Nearly 48% of the port construction has been completed. The port is expected to become operational by 2026, restoring its maritime legacy and transforming the coastal economy of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
Key Highlights
Construction Status:
- ~48% work completed.
- 1,250 workers engaged in two shifts.
- Located at Manginapudi in Machilipatnam.
Engineering Feats:
- 56 million cubic metres of dredging completed.
- 2.5 km long breakwater constructed using 2.1 million tonnes of rock.
- Use of 3-tonne tetrapods to counter sea erosion; 55% casting completed.
- First phase to include 4 berths, expandable to 16 berths as per master plan.
- Planned capacity: 36 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
- Can accommodate ships of 80,000 tonnes.
Project Execution:
- Contract initially awarded in 2007 to Maytas Infra (Satyam Group arm).
- Later awarded to Navayuga, cancelled by new government.
- In 2020, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) formed: Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation Ltd.
- Port being developed under Landlord Model; EPC contract given to MEIL.
- Estimated cost (Phase I): ₹5,155 crore.
Export/Import Commodities:
- Major cargo: Coal, Cement, Fertilisers, Pharma products, Container Traffic.
- Telangana government plans a dry port and direct freight corridor to link with the port.
Historical Importance of Machilipatnam
Ancient & Medieval Periods:
- Known as Masulipatnam / Maisolia / Manjarika.
- A port city since 1st century BCE, mentioned in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea & Ptolemy’s Geographia.
- Flourished under Satavahanas, Vishnukundins, Qutb Shahis, and Nizams.
- Major exporter of muslin textiles, diamonds, and Kalamkari art.
Colonial Era:
- Site of the first East India Company factory on the Bay of Bengal (1611).
- Controlled at various times by Dutch, French, and British.
- Declined due to unsuitable anchorage, siltation, and British focus on Madras (Chennai).
Post-Independence:
- 1947: Nizam of Hyderabad sought access to the sea via Machilipatnam.
- No significant development until recent revival initiative.
Modern Strategic Significance
Geographic Advantage:
- Located at the mouth of River Krishna, ~70 km from Amaravati.
- Strategic positioning on the Bay of Bengal coast.
Infrastructure Boost:
- Improved employment and logistics ecosystem for Andhra Pradesh’s coastal belt.
- Expected to serve as a regional cargo hub.
Interstate Cooperation:
- Telangana collaborating with Andhra Pradesh for freight linkages.
Ecological and Social Considerations
Environmental Impact:
- Port development must balance coastal ecosystem preservation with economic growth.
- Use of tetrapods and sustainable dredging are mitigation steps.
Social Impact:
- Generates employment from construction to port operations.
- Boosts ancillary sectors: logistics, trade, tourism, and local services.
Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
| Location | Manginapudi, Machilipatnam, Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh |
| River Nearby | River Krishna; Rises in Maharashtra, flows through Telangana & Andhra Pradesh |
| Coastline | Coromandel Coast (Southeastern coast of India along Bay of Bengal) |
| Traditional Art | Kalamkari; Traditional hand-painted/block-printed textile art from AP |
| Historic Names | Masulipatnam, Maisolia, Bandar |
| Colonial Influence | Dutch, French, British |
| First British Factory | Established in 1611 |
| Landlord Port Model | Public entity owns land; private players develop & operate port |
| First Port in Bay of Bengal | British East India Company opened its first Bay of Bengal factory in Machilipatnam (1611) |