Union Min Sonowal to inaugurate Rs 333.56 cr projects in Vizag today

Visakhapatnam Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) is in high spirits as Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal is all set to launch four projects worth Rs 333.56 crore here on Monday at a time when the premier port in the five months of the fiscal handled 33.14 MT cargo registering 3 per cent growth.

The container cargo growth is very impressive. In the first five months container throughput registered 38 per cent growth which is very good. The port is mechanising its operations to improve efficiency and to reduce pollution. Three berths are being mechanised with an investment of Rs 655 crore under the PPP route, VPA Chairman Dr M Angamuthu, told Bizz Buzz. Earlier, he called on Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and requested him to chair a special session at the Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) being hosted in Delhi from October 17. Sonowal, during his visit to Visakhapatnam will also review the arrangements for the GMIS, the third edition of the summit, which is expected to see signing of MoUs for several big ticket projects and joint ventures.

Cruise terminal

During his whirlwind tour of the city, the Union Minister will also inaugurate the Vizag International Cruise Terminal (VICT) built by the VPA in the outer harbour at a cost of Rs 96.05 crore.

VICT has developed the world-class terminal with the sanction of Rs 38.50 crore from the Ministry of Tourism. VICT has a capacity to handle 2,000-passenger capacity vessels with a draft of 8.1 meters. It has parking space for seven buses, 70 cars and 40 two-wheelers. Cruise tourism is a huge opportunity for India. The market size is to the tune of $7.1 billion. This is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.1 per cent in the next 10 years, a senior official said.

VICT offers facilities with efficiency of services and operations and attractive tariff for the cruise. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has given certain directions for concessional tariff for cruise. VPA will further examine possible discounts.

The cruise industry supports 1.17 million jobs across the globe in a variety of sectors- hospitality, aviation, agriculture, retail, entertainment, manufacturing, information services, and healthcare. India in general and Andhra Pradesh in particular are expected to greatly benefit from cruise tourism as it will generate lots of employment and forex.

Andhra Pradesh has a variety of tourist attractions including beaches, hills, caves, wildlife, forests and temples. Andhra Pradesh is the third most popular tourist destination for domestic travellers attracting 14 per cent of national footfalls. The number of international tourists will increase as many tourism projects are coming up in Andhra Pradesh.

The port is working closely with Andhra Pradesh Tourism department as well as the Ministry of Tourism for making Visakhapatnam a hub for cruise tourism.

VICT has proximity to airports with international flights and facilities. This along with the needed push by the Central Government (MoPSW & Ministry of Tourism), Andhra Pradesh Government, Visakhapatnam district administration and VPA make VICT the cruise port of call.

Sonowal will also inaugurate a covered storage shed of size 300x40x17m at R-11 area. The shed is built at a total cost of Rs 33.80 crore. The shed has a capacity to store: 84,000 tonnes of bulk and bagged cargo with mist arrangement for dust suppression. Main objective of the covered shed is to reduce the pollution for storing dusty cargo. Revamping of OR I, OR II & OR III berths was taken up with an investment of Rs 167.66 crore to handle 14.5m draft vessels with a capacity of 85,000 DWT. Out of which one berth OR-1 is being inaugurated on Monday. OR-I berth has length of 243m. The capacity addition is 3.81 MMT. Total OR I, OR II & OR III modernisation project will be completed by October 31, 2024. VPA has developed a world-class truck parking terminal in 20 acres with an investment of Rs 36.05 crore. This will also be inaugurated on Monday.