Vishakhapatnam port to be overhauled

Visakhapatnam, Dec 12 (KNN) In a bid to create new employment opportunities in the state and increase trade benefits,  the Government of India has approved the implementation of a project to upgrade port facilities here.

The project would comprise of upgradation of the existing facility at outer harbour and creation of new facility at inner harbour for handling iron ore.

“The upgradation, operation and maintenance of the facilities are expected to create new employment opportunities” the Union Minister for Shipping, G K Vasan said.

“The augmentation of capacity will also lead to increase in trade and associated benefits. The facility will mitigate dust pollution and increase operational efficiency as the existing ore handling complex will be upgraded with latest equipment,” he added.

In a statement tabled in the Rajya Sabha today, Vasan said that the project will have a capacity of 23 million tonnes to cater to 2 lakhs Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) carriers at outer harbour and up to 65000 DWT carriers at inner harbour.

The estimated cost of the project is Rs 845.41 crore and will be financed by the Concessionaire. (KNN/SD)