Hans News Service Nellore

NelloreMP Vemireddy Prabhakara Reddy on Friday questioned the issue regarding progress, estimated cost and timeline for the commencement of works for the proposed mega shipbuilding and ship repair cluster at Dugarajapatnam in Tirupati district, in the Parliament.

Responding to the MP’s question, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal stated the Andhra Pradesh government had proposed establishing a greenfield shipbuilding cluster at Dugarajapatnam. He explained that a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named ‘National Shipbuilding and Heavy Industries Park Andhra Pradesh Limited (NSHIPAP)’ was jointly formed by Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) and Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board (APMB) for the development of this cluster. He revealed that based on an application from NSHIPAP, the Union Ministry of Shipping granted in-principle approval for the development of this greenfield shipbuilding cluster in May 2026. The Union Minister clarified that according to the preliminary Techno-Economic Feasibility Report (TEFR), the total estimated cost of the project—which encompasses a port, a shipbuilding and repair facility, maritime infrastructure, land development, and other amenities—is approximately Rs 29,254 crore. He said final approval for the project would be granted and work would accelerate once the Detailed Project Report is finalised and a suitable ‘anchor shipyard’ partner is secured.