Andhra Pradesh government said it would take efforts to convince Krishnapatnam port to allow the state to construct a port at Ramayapatnam, which is less than 100 km from Krishnapatnam.

The Krishnapatnam port, located in Nellore district, raised objections over the proposed port in Ramayapatnam on the ground that it would fall within the exclusive zone of 100 km granted to it and, therefore, it would be a violation of the agreement it had entered into with the state government.

Located in the south of Ongole, the Ramayapatnam port is expected to have six berths and handle 30 million tonne of cargo to begin with and also have ship-building and breaking facilities apart from a fishing harbour.

In 2004, the original concessional agreement with Krishnapatnam port was amended. Now, the state government plans to amend it again. The state government has all the powers to override, overrule and change the agreement in the interests of the people and the state.

But the Krishnapatnam port authorities say they will oppose the development of the Ramayapatnam port tooth and nail and even take to legal recourse, if necessary. But the state is confident that there will be no obstacle in the development of the new port.