Based on the recommendations of Boston Consulting Group and Union Ministry of Shipping, Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has initiated several measures for removal of the bottlenecks to ensure faster evacuation of cargo.
The port has undertaken seven connectivity projects at a cost of ₹274 crore.
The completed projects include the first phase electrification of East Yard at a cost of ₹20 crore, direct connection from Ore Exchange Complex to Western Sector costing ₹22 crore, four-lane Port Connectivity Road by spending ₹77 crore and new road at a cost of ₹24 crore.
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NHAI project
The projects in progress include upgrading of the R&D yard and construction of grade separator to decongest the traffic from H-7 to Convent Junction. The external road connectivity from Sheelanagar, Pendurti-Anandapuram Road at a cost of ₹549 crore will be undertaken by the National Highway Authority of India. The detailed project report is ready and the project is being implemented jointly by the NHAI and the port.
The port has a capacity to handle cargo of 120 million tonne per annum. While the inner harbour with 21 berthscan receive ships up to a draft of 14.5 metres and 80,000 tonnes the outer harbour with six berths can handle vessels of 18.1 metres draft and 200,000 tonnes.
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The Single Point Mooring can handle Very Large Crude Carriers of 250,000 tonnes.
“We have completed PPP projects with an investment of ₹1,074 crore. Projects under implementation include development of EQ-1A in the inner harbour at a cost of ₹313 crore and extension of container terminal by VCTPL with an outlay of ₹633 crore,” VPT Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu told The Hindu.
The port is mobilising ₹360 crore for replacement of the EQ-2, 3, 4 and EQ-5 into two regular quay of 530 metres at a cost of ₹182 crore and improving the capacity utilisation of OR-2 and OR-2 by spending ₹179 crore.
Santosh Patnaik