Vizag Port looks to begin work on cruise terminal
The cruise terminal complex is proposed to have duty-free shopping, souvenir shops, cafeteria, parking space and rooms for recreation. Initially, it is proposed to attract short visits by cruise liners initially and subsequently to explore long visits depending on feedback from international tourists
image for illustrative purpose
Indications are that Centre will give its nod to revised estimates of Rs 103 cr
Visakhapatnam: VISAKHAPATNAM Port Trust is gearing up to take up construction of the long awaited international cruise terminal with indications that the Centre will give a green signal to the request for revision of cost estimates. The original cost of Rs 77 crore has been revised at Rs 103 crore after consideration of several plans on development of various facilities to make Visakhapatnam an international cruise destination.
Once the revised estimates are approved by the Centre and a pollution-free certificate is obtained, VPT will call for bids to start construction.
"The city has immense potential to become a world-class tourism destination. The infrastructure needs to be strengthened," Credai Visakhapatnam chapter chairman Peela Koteswara Rao told Bizz Buzz. The cruise terminal project got stuck due to revised plans and outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. As per the pre-revised plan, the VPT and Ministry of Tourism were supposed to share the total cost equally. Out of its share, the Ministry of Tourism has already released Rs 38.5 crore.
VPT Chairman K Rama Mohana Rao said apart from ensuring faster evacuation of cargo, they were also keen on promoting tourism as part of the endeavour to give a big boost to port-led development. The port, which needs 30 acres for the terminal complex, has already earmarked 10 acres for construction of the cruise terminal. The port had earlier deputed teams to Mumbai and Goa to study the terminals there to explore replication.
Creative Group of Mumbai was engaged in designing the cruise terminal building. The experts from IIT-Madras had suggested the berth design.
The cruise terminal complex is proposed to have duty-free shopping, souvenir shops, cafeteria, parking space and rooms for recreation. Initially, it is proposed to attract short visits by cruise liners initially and subsequently to explore long visits depending on feedback from international tourists.
Visakhapatnam has connectivity of a passenger ship run by Shipping Corporation of India to Port Blair. Silver Discoverer, a 7-star cruise terminal, had brought tourists from Europe, America and other countries to Visakhapatnmam three times in 2019 and the response was quite impressive.
JM Baxi & Co. branch in-charge Capt. BS Bhargava said the international tourists fall in love with Visakhapatnam at first sight. "The amazing landscape with green-capped hillocks and golden beaches mesmerised them during their brief halt in Visakhapatnam. In fact, many expressed their desire for spending long hours to see 17th century Dutch township of Bheemunipatnam, picturesque Buddhist sites, million year old Borra Caves and Araku and Ananthagiri valleys in the agency (tribal) areas of the Eastern Ghats," he said. JM Baxi & Co was the agent for Silver Discoverer.
