SRIKAKULAM:

CPI(M) Srikakulam district secretary D. Govinda Rao on Wednesday (May 27, 2026) asked the State government to cancel the proposed cargo airport in Tekkali division and the exploration of rare earth minerals along the sea coast of Srikakulam district. He said the excavation of rare earth minerals would disrupt fishing and damage agriculture in the hinterland along the 184-km sea coast from Pydibhimavaram to Itchapuram.

Addressing a media conference here, he alleged that Minister for Agriculture K. Atchannaidu, who is the MLA of Tekkali, had failed to listen to the people who had opposed the cargo airport near Mulapeta seaport.

He said the government planned to acquire around 38,000 acres of private land in 22 villages of Tekkali and Santabommali mandals despite strong resistance from local people. Mr. Govinda Rao said the government was dilly-dallying over the construction of fishing harbours in Srikakulam but was in a hurry to promote ‘destructive development’.

“Uddanam region with coconut and cashew groves is the major economic hub of the district and provides livelihood to thousands of people. Its destruction will deny livelihood opportunities and force local people to migrate to other places. That is why CPI(M) is strongly opposing the cargo airport and the exploration of rare earth minerals all along the sea coast,” he said.

CPI(M) leader P. Tejeswara Rao asked the government to hold meetings with farmers and fishermen to know public opinion on the new projects.