Vizag Port readying to launch work on cruise terminal
AFTER becoming autonomous as part of enactment of new law to free major ports from regulations, Visakhapatnam Port has now launched an exercise to commence work on the International Marine Cruise Terminal (IMCT).
image for illustrative purpose
Visakhapatnam: AFTER becoming autonomous as part of enactment of new law to free major ports from regulations, Visakhapatnam Port has now launched an exercise to commence work on the International Marine Cruise Terminal (IMCT).
The port is under pressure to kick-start civil work on a fast-track mode as Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy during his recent visit to the city directed the port authorities to make the cruise terminal operational within a year instead of two years as envisaged earlier. The project got delayed inordinately due to the pandemic.
Creative Group of Delhi has found the proposal feasible following which IIT-Madras recommended various features as part of designing the cruise terminal project-the first in the entire East Coast. Visakhapatnam, Chennai and Kolkata have passenger ship facilities to Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar islands. Shipping Corporation of India's service is hired to operate the passenger vessel mostly to cater to the needs of workers deployed in the islands hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chattisgarh. Immediately after his return to Delhi, Kishan Reddy reviewed the project with the top officials of the Ministry of Tourism and got Rs.38.5 crore released towards Centre's share towards infrastructure development for the cruise terminal under the Sagarmala project. The project cost was revised at Rs 103 crore though initially it was conceived at about Rs 70 crore.
A senior official of Visakhapatnam Port told Bizz Buzz that pending approvals, they will finalise the contractor to commence work. Two times the port sought bids and both times a single bid was received. "Now we are receiving enquiries by some parties to take up the work. We will take a suitable decision soon so as to complete the project as per the deadline set by the Government of India," he clarified.
Once completed the project for which foundation stone was laid by Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur in September, Visakhapatnam will find a place in the world cruise tourism map. A few cruise vessels by Star and other groups had visited Visakhapatnam with great difficulty to anchor them at Visakha Container Terminal as the port does not have the provision for parking of cruise vessels.
