Visakhapatnam: Plans to set up a major greenfield aluminium smelter by National Aluminium Company (Nalco) in Srikakulam district are gaining momentum, with a central inspection team expected to visit the district soon to assess the feasibility of the proposed site.As per discussions at the Centre, Nalco is planning a 0.5 million tonne per annum (MTPA) smelter and is exploring more than 4,000 acres of salt lands at Naupada in Santabommali mandal for the project.Nalco CMD B P Singh and senior officials recently met Union civil aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu and Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy to discuss the proposed smelter near the new Mulapeta Port in Santabommali mandal. More than 80% of the port’s construction has been completed, while work on the connecting national highway is in progress. A 10-km railway line connecting the port is also under construction, while an airport is proposed around 30 km from the port.According to sources, the proposed smelter complex could involve an investment of around Rs 18,000 crore, with 1.3 lakh tonnes of aluminium proposed to be exported. A central team is expected to visit the Naupada salt lands soon to assess their suitability for the project.The Centre owns more than 6,000 acres of salt lands in the area, much of which has been leased to private salt companies. Leases covering around 4,000 acres expired about eight years ago, while leases over another 1,500 acres are due to expire next year. Authorities are now assessing the feasibility of using the land for the smelter.Meanwhile, Visakhapatnam Port Authority has also expressed interest in the salt lands for future port-related activities, particularly as there are plans to shift dusty cargo operations from Visakhapatnam to Mulapeta Port.