Officials told to postpone draft notification on Masula Port.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed the Krishna district officials to postpone a draft notification to acquire land for the proposed deep sea port at Machilipatnam, high placed sources told The Hindu .

'Citing stiff resistance from people over land acquisition for capital and other projects including airport in Vizianagaram district, Mr. Naidu had asked the Krishna officials to postpone the draft notification of the Machilipatnam port, sources said. Mr. Naidu has suggested that Collector Babu A. convince the farmers and the residents of the villages falling in the proposed port area, before initiating measures to acquire the surveyed land.

In April, the revenue authorities have prepared a draft notification to acquire 2,288 acres of private land, which was supposed to be issued in early May. Recently, Mr. Babu A. invited all stakeholders and the villagers to come up with their queries over the land acquisition for a special meeting to be held at Amedlkar Bhavan on May 18.

'Grievances related to land, compensation and rehabilitation packages will be addressed at the meet, Mr. Babu A. said. Excise and B.C. Welfare Minister K. Ravindra and Machilipatnam MP K. Narayana discussed the status of land survey with the Collector recently. 'War footing measures are being taken to begin the port works soon,' Mr. Ravindra said.

THE HINDU