Date:14/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/14/stories/2008101452560300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Encroachment of land meant for mini shipyard alleged

Kakinada: The East West Marine Engineering Works, Visakhapatnam, has alleged that a 20-acre piece of land at Kakinada, allotted to it by the Director of Ports for construction of a mini shipyard, was being encroached by East Coast Boat Builders and Engineers Ltd and Sri Sai Coastal Man Power Suppliers.

The East West Marine Engineering Works’ plans to promote industries by roping in foreign investors, have thus been thwarted and it was constrained to carry out its business activities in spite of an interim injunction by the IV Additional District Judge (Kakinada), its managing partner M.N Subrahmanyam told media persons here on Monday. As per the permission of the State Government given on May 5, 2008, the East West Marine Engineering Works has executed a lease deed for 30 years with the Director of Ports on the following day and the port authorities handed over the possession of the said land to the company on payment of Rs 1,10,00,000. Besides, the Special Secretary to Government and Commissioner of Ports issued a letter to the Superintendent of Police directing him to remove the encroachers. In spite of these, the personnel of East West Marine Engineering Works were being prevented by anti-social elements allegedly at the behest of above firms.