Machilipatnam port gears up for major revival

By Admin

15 Jul, 2025

A Historic Comeback on the Bay of Bengal

After lying dormant for decades, the ancient port town of Machilipatnam is making a strong comeback. Located at the mouth of the River Krishna on the Bay of Bengal, this historic city known as Masula during its heyday in the first century AD and again during the 16th to 18th centuries is once again poised to become a significant maritime hub. The construction of a new Greenfield port at Manginapudi is driving this revival, setting the stage for economic transformation in the region.

Rapid Progress in Port Construction

Nearly 48% of the port construction has already been completed. With about 1,250 workers laboring in two shifts around the clock, the pace of development is remarkable. The project’s sheer scale is positioning the port as an engineering marvel not just a logistical asset. The dredging of 56 million cubic metres of sand is enabling deep anchorage, while a 2.5-kilometre-long breakwater is being built using 2.1 million tonnes of rock. In addition, three-tonne tetrapods are being cast and strategically placed to shield the port from the sea's raw power 55% of this task has already been completed.

An Ambitious Vision Realized Through Determination

The journey to build the Machilipatnam port has been far from smooth. Since the initial contract in 2007 to Maytas (a Satyam Group company), the project has seen several delays and setbacks. The baton passed to Navayuga, only to be rescinded after a change in political leadership. It wasn’t until 2020, under the YSR Congress Party Government, that a breakthrough was made with the formation of a Special Purpose Vehicle   Machilipatnam Port Development Corporation Ltd, and the EPC contract was awarded to MEIL (Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited).

Strategic Investment with Regional Impact

The first-phase investment stands at ₹5,155 crore, covering the development of four berths. However, the master plan envisions the expansion to 16 berths. Once operational, the port will boast a 36 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity, capable of handling vessels up to 80,000 tonnes. This development holds great promise for both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, which plan to channel key exports like coal, cement, pharmaceuticals, fertilisers, and container traffic through the port.

To further amplify its utility, Telangana is setting up a dry port facility and developing a direct freight corridor linking inland industries to the port creating a seamless logistics ecosystem and opening new trade gateways.

Reviving the Past, Building the Future

The revival of the Machilipatnam port is not just about restoring a lost trading outpost it's about creating a modern maritime asset rooted in rich history. As construction progresses at a brisk pace, the port is on track to redefine the economic landscape of the eastern coast of India and emerge as a strategic anchor for exports and regional development.