Sonowal lays foundation for Rs 230-cr VPA projects
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday laid the foundation stone for four major projects of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), with a total investment of Rs 230 crore, at Sagaramala Conventions in Saligrampuram.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sonowal said he was confident that Visakhapatnam Port would cross 100 million metric tonnes of cargo throughput in the coming years. He noted that the port was among the best-performing in the country and had earned a place in the list of the world’s top 100 ports.
VPA Chairman M. Angamuthu said the projects were aimed at strengthening safety systems, improving infrastructure, boosting administrative capacity, and enhancing residential facilities at the port.
The four projects include upgradation of firefighting facilities at the LPG berth for Rs 52.23 crore to meet Oil Industry Safety Directorate norms; modernisation of the ORS Dry Dock at an estimated Rs 35.87 crore to support ship repairs and improve revenue; construction of a G+9 Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Administrative Bhavan with green building standards for Rs 97.70 crore; and construction of residential apartments at Harbour Park costing Rs 44.20 crore to facilitate land monetisation and improve living amenities.
Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsikrishna Srinivas Yadav said rapid industrialisation in and around the city was emerging as a key driver of growth. Visakhapatnam North MLA Vishnukumar Raju appreciated the port’s CSR initiatives, stating that they were benefiting the needy sections.
Visakhapatnam MP M. Sribharat said the port had always played a critical role in the city’s development and expressed hope that the new projects would be completed within the stipulated timelines for the benefit of stakeholders.
Later, Mr. Sonowal distributed course completion certificates and placement orders to students of the Centre of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding, who were trained under the sponsorship of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority.