JUVVALADINNE (NELLORE DISTRICT): In a high-stakes political showdown that coincided with the start of the annual fishing ban, former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a scathing attack on the Chandrababu Naidu-led NDA government today.
Speaking at a massive interactive session with the fishing community at Juvvaladinne, Jagan accused the current administration of "betraying" local livelihoods by handing over nearly half of the newly built fishing harbour to a private defense firm.
The Core of the Dispute: Fishers vs. Defense Tech
The controversy centers on the allocation of approximately 29 to 40 acres of land within the Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour to Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd. The company recently broke ground on what is described as the world's first "Autonomous Maritime Shipbuilding and Systems Centre."
While the government argues this project will bring high-tech R&D and jobs to Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy presented a different perspective to the local fishermen:
* Space Constraint: Jagan argued that the harbour, designed for 1,250 mechanized boats, requires the entire 79-acre area for essential operations like net mending, boat parking, and future processing plants.
* The "Krishnapatnam" Alternative: "If the government wants to support private defense, why not move them to Krishnapatnam or Dugarajapatnam where thousands of acres are available?" Jagan questioned. "Why seize land specifically built for the sons of the sea?"
* A Direct Warning: Displaying a defiant stance, Jagan issued a clear ultimatum to the Chief Minister:
"Remember, the upcoming government belongs to YSRCP. I will shift Sagar Defence from this location at any cost the moment we return to power. These harbours are assets of the fishermen, not real estate for corporate interest."
The "Blue Economy" Legacy: Harbours Built Under YSRCP
During his address, Jagan Mohan Reddy highlighted that the Juvvaladinne harbour was part of a larger vision initiated during his tenure (2019-2024). He emphasized that his government had sanctioned and commenced work on a massive scale to prevent the migration of local fishermen to other states.
Key Infrastructure Projects Initiated (2019-2024):
* 10 New Fishing Harbours: A total of 10 modern harbours were planned at a combined investment of over ₹3,793 crore.
* Phase 1 Projects: These included Juvvaladinne (Nellore), Nizampatnam (Bapatla), Machilipatnam (Krishna), and Uppada (Kakinada).
* Phase 2 & Fish Landing Centres: The plan also included 6 additional harbours (such as Pudimadaka and Kothapatnam) and several Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) to decentralize the maritime economy.
* Modern Amenities: Unlike traditional docks, these were designed with cold storage, processing units, and automated auction halls to ensure fishermen receive a fair price for their catch.
The Political Standoff
The visit was strategically timed with the April 15 to June 15 fishing ban, a period when local families are most economically vulnerable. While the TDP-led alliance maintains that the defense project is a matter of national pride and "Atmanirbhar Bharat," the YSRCP is positioning the move as "crony capitalism."
As the sun set over the Bay of Bengal, the message from Juvvaladinne was clear: the battle for Andhra's 974 km coastline is no longer just about fish-it's about who owns the land they are brought to.