Hans News Service Amaravati

Thestate government granted a second extension of time (EoT) for the completion of the Rs 4,923‑crore Ramayapatnam port project, pushing the deadline to December 30, 2026, without levying liquidated damages on the contractor.

The project, entrusted to the joint venture of Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd (NECL) and Aurobindo Realty Ltd (ARIPL), was originally scheduled for completion by June 23, 2025.

A first extension had already been allowed until April 27, 2026. The latest decision followed a proposal from the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB) chief executive, based on requests from the Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor.

Special chief secretary (infrastructure & investment) M T Krishna Babu issued the government order (GO) on Friday, clarifying that no additional financial burden would be entertained for granting the extension. The GO noted that revised administrative sanction for the port was accorded in February 2024, while technical sanction dates back to November 2020.

The contractor cited several reasons for delay, including non‑handover of 38 acres of land critical for stackyard, internal roads, railway connectivity and utilities.

Other factors included delays in external infrastructure works such as power transmission and railway links, unforeseen dredging conditions, change in dredge disposal location, and local hindrances in Karlapalem and Salipeta villages.

Force majeure conditions (clause in contract that absolves both parties from liability in case of an extraordinary event like war or natural disaster) were also pointed to, including severe cyclones during the construction period and disruptions in fuel supply chains due to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.

The Tender Evaluation and EPC Committee reviewed the submission and recommended the second extension, acknowledging delays in land acquisition and force majeure events.

The government accepted the recommendation, allowing the contractor time until December 2026 to complete the greenfield port project in Prakasam district, a key maritime gateway for Andhra Pradesh.