AP Chief Minister seeks clearance of 150+ chilli containers and flood relief after cyclones

Export Issue

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has written to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal asking for swift clearance of more than 150 chilli containers stuck at Colombo port in Sri Lanka. The consignments, worth about ₹60 crore, were meant for buyers in China, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore. Port officials halted them because the moisture content exceeded the permitted limit. Naidu warned that the hold up will hurt farmers and exporters and urged Goyal to raise the matter with the concerned countries to release the cargo.

Cyclone Damage

Naidu also appealed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah for central assistance after Cyclone Arnab and Cyclone Murasu battered the state. A preliminary report puts Arnab’s damage at ₹4,563 crore, affecting 781 villages across 16 districts, destroying crops on over 300,000 hectares of agricultural land and 13,600 hectares of horticultural land, and toppling 29,000 electricity poles and 7,981 km of power lines. Naidu has asked for the full ₹4,563 crore as immediate relief. Murasu hit 465 villages in seven districts, damaging paddy on more than 50,473 hectares and commercial crops on 1,985 hectares, with property loss estimated at ₹343 crore. He has pressed the centre for interim assistance and early deployment of assessment teams.

Context

Moisture limits are common export standards to preserve spice quality, and Andhra Pradesh is a leading chilli supplier in India. Large‑scale cyclones often cause extensive agricultural and infrastructure loss, prompting state leaders to seek fast central aid.