Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday (September 1, 2026) asked farmers to part with their land for the port proposed at Narsapuram in West Godavari district.

Addressing the gathering during the distribution of NTR Bharosa pensions here, Mr. Naidu said: “I have been striving to build a medium port on the Narsapuram coast. However, I did not receive any support from the farmers for the port, who are not keen to part with their land.”

“The port will give a fillip to maritime trade, apart from giving a boost to aquaculture and aqua farmers. We have decided to work out the proposal for the port on the Narsapuram coast. The farmers of Narsapuram need to realise that their neighbours, Machilipatnam and Kakinada, are already blessed with ports,” he said.

On the Aqua University of Andhra Pradesh, he said ₹20 crore had recently been sanctioned and more aid would be given to build it into one of the premier institutes in the country.

Mr. Naidu assured the gathering of an action plan for the Godavari delta irrigation system, to modernise the canals and the infrastructure associated with their operation. He also assured that land would be acquired for a dumping yard for Narsapuram town.

Union Minister of State for Steel and Heavy Industries B. Srinivasa Varma and Water Resources Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu were present.

YSRCP going to court to delay polls

Mr. Naidu accused the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) of trying to create hurdles in the conduct of local body elections by approaching courts. He claimed that all the recent poll surveys were giving a clear mandate to the NDA and that this was creating fear among the YSRCP leadership.

“The YSRCP leadership is warning its leaders of serious consequences against unanimous elections in the upcoming local bodies. What can they do if the people choose their leader unanimously? The government had been encouraging unanimous elections for creating a peaceful atmosphere in the village, and that is why local body elections are conducted without any party symbol,” he said, without directly referring to YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s remarks asking his leaders to ensure that there were no unanimous elections in the coming local body elections.

Mr. Naidu said he was conducting direct elections to municipal corporations and municipalities to ensure that people elected a leader of their choice for a five-year period. The Chief Minister said it was he who had increased the reservation for Backward Classes in local body elections to 34%, which the YSRCP failed to protect. “Now we want to provide 34% reservations but the YSRCP has approached the court. Similarly, it had approached the court seeking conduct of elections only after the completion of Special Intensive Revision (SIR), fearing defeat,” he said.

Underlining the importance of elected local bodies, he said the conduct of elections would also ensure Finance Commission funds to the State. He asked the people not to accept money from contesting candidates to vote in their favour. “Corruption will come down if you do not accept money for voting. This will also ensure clean politics,” he said. “What is the need of taking money when I am giving you money through various welfare schemes?” he asked.

Godavari waters to north Andhra

Referring to the Godavari waters being taken to north Andhra, Mr. Naidu said the water would reach Anakapalle soon. “Godavari river waters used to flow into the sea after Rajamahendravaram. Now, we are taking these waters to Uttarandhra, channelising them through mountains. This will change the history of Uttarandhra,” he said. The Godavari waters would reach Visakhapatnam next year, he added.