Visakhapatnam Port Trust turns fishermen town into metropolis
October 7 is a red letter day in history as on this day in 1933, Visakhapatnam Port was opened to ocean traffic with the arrival of passenger ship SS Jaladurga of Scindia Steam Navigation Co – K Rama Mohana Rao, Visakhapatnam Port Trust Chairman
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam: ONCE a tiny fishermen town located on the East Coast of India in a spoon-shaped topography, Visakhapatnam fondly called Vizag, Waltair, Vizagapatam, Ukku City and City of Destiny has metamorphosed into a growing metropolis over the years, thanks to the development of Visakhapatnam Port on this day 88 years ago.
The port has changed the landscape of the city making it one of the leading industrial cities in India. The city with an estimated GDP of $43.5 billion is being considered as one among top 10 fastest growing richest cities in the country.
In recognition of its strategic location being wedged between the Eastern Ghats and the Bay of Bengal and a spoon-shaped topography with industries and housing colonies on three sides and sea on side, the State Government has decided to develop it into the executive capital.
"October 7 is a red letter day in history as on this day in 1933, Visakhapatnam Port was opened to ocean traffic with the arrival of passenger ship SS Jaladurga of Scindia Steam Navigation Co.," Visakhapatnam Port Trust Chairman K Rama Mohana Rao told Bizz Buzz.
The existing land-locked inner harbour was built by Bengal Nagpur Railway (BNR) during 1927-33 to facilitate transportation of manganese ore of the Central Provinces (Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh). The location was finalised by the British Government as it has low risk from getting hit by cyclones due to the existence of Dolphin's Nose Hill on the northern side of the entrance channel. It also has a low tidal range of 1.82 metres.
Col. M Cartwright Reid of British Admiralty had proposed the building of the harbour at the opening of the Meghadrigedda river. The port was formally declared open by Lord Willington, then Viceroy and Governor General of India on December 19, 1933. During the first year of operation, the port could handle a cargo volume of 1.3 million tonnes wherein for transportation of cargo, bullock carts were used in the port area.
Interestingly, 1.2 lakh tonnes was exported with imports restricted to just 0.1 lakh tonnes. The principal commodities that were exported included manganese ore and groundnut. Rice, flour, tiles and other consumer goods were imported. During World War-II, the port assumed military importance. Subsequently, massive pumping in of funds transformed the port into a modern port with mechanised facilities.
Commencement of BOT berths by Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd (VCTPL) and Vizag Seaports Private Ltd (VSPL) to remain globally competitive and to handle Panamax vessels in the inner harbour by increasing the draft, development of LPG cavern and crude reserve cavert subsequently brought mechanised cargo handling environment by putting coal and iron ore dust pollution at bare minimum.
The port handled 33.41 million tonnes during the current fiscal till September 30 as against 32.70 million tonnes in the corresponding period last year registering an increase by 2 per cent in cargo volume despite the pandemic.
The port has registered significant growth in thermal coal (161 per cent), steam coal (45 per cent) and containers (7 per cent) when compared to the corresponding period of previous year. "Notwithstanding the competition posed by rival ports in the neighbourhood, we are gearing up to face the challenge and sustain our growth momentum," the VPT Chairman said.
