Andhra Pradesh is well positioned to emerge as the “Eastern Gateway of Global Logistics”, owing to its strategic coastline, port-led development vision and strong policy backing from the State government, Special Chief Secretary (Roads & Buildings and Infrastructure & Investments) M.T. Krishna Babu has said.
Making a presentation on the theme “Global Best Logistics – Eastern Gateway” at a meeting chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu with Ministers and Secretaries on Monday, Mr. Krishna Babu said the government’s key objective was to achieve the lowest logistics cost in India. A comprehensive action plan has already been prepared and implementation has begun to realise this goal, he noted.
Highlighting Andhra Pradesh’s comparative advantages, the Special Chief Secretary said the State has a long coastline, deep-draft ports, strong road and rail connectivity, and proximity to major consumption and manufacturing centres. These factors, coupled with proactive government policies, place the State ahead of others in attracting global logistics and supply-chain investments.
Mr. Krishna Babu said Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) had been given strategic importance in the State’s infrastructure development model. PPP projects would play a crucial role in the creation of multimodal logistics parks, port-linked industrial clusters, inland container depots, warehouses and cold-chain infrastructure, he explained.
The logistics vision is aligned with the Centre’s PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, enabling seamless integration of ports, highways, railways, airports and industrial corridors. The government is also focusing on last-mile connectivity to ports and industrial hubs to reduce transit time and overall logistics costs.
According to officials, the State aims to position its ports not only as cargo-handling centres but also as value-added logistics and manufacturing hubs, thereby enhancing exports, generating employment and boosting economic growth.
The Chief Minister, during the meeting, emphasised the need for time-bound execution, coordinated action among departments and adoption of global best practices to ensure Andhra Pradesh becomes a preferred logistics destination in the Asia-Pacific region.