Visakhapatnam port has witnessed a glorious period during 2006-15 with the launching of various capacity addition and modernisation projects involving an investment of Rs.6,000 crore to Rs.8,000 crore, says K. Ramachandra Rao, who after nearly three and half decades experience in the port was relieved as Chief Engineer on Monday.
On a transfer to Paradip Port as the CE, Mr. Rao, who began his career as a sub-overseer on September 11, 1980, said the port which had underwent lot of changes in the past few years to withstand competition, has a bright future ahead because of the facilities and its strategic location. The port has achieved a capacity of 90 million tonne and will increase it to 125 million tonne during 2016-17.
During his tenure, single buoy mooring of HPCL, Petro Park and LPG and crude cavern projects were executed. During past 10 years, eight PPP projects were launched.
In an exclusive interview, Mr. Rao told The Hindu that iron ore capacity addition and upgradation of mechanisation facilities by Essar and container extension project by Visakha Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd. with a total investment of Rs.2,000 crore would further bring glory to the port as a world-class port.
He said during his tenure despite lot of difficulties, they had completed dredging in Outer Harbour to handle Cape Size vessels of 200,000 DWT. The Inner Harbour dredging to receive Panamax vessels without lightening with 14 metres draft would be completed by month-end.
Pollution
On criticism over pollution, he said the port had initiated several steps to reduce the pollution in the past. “The port is introducing performance based road management at a cost of Rs.48 crore. The port is also spending Rs.10 crore for a high-rise wall of 1.8 km with a height of 7.5 metres from Sea Horse to Convent Junction,” he disclosed.
An international consultant was being appointed for efficient environment management. Mr. Rao said East Coast Railways had been awarded a project at a cost of Rs.50 crore for centralised cabin operation with electronic signals and telecom system for port railway network of nearly 200 km.
