Port infrastructure, connectivity projects worth over Rs 1 lakh crores sanctioned for Andhra Pradesh

More than 110 projects worth around Rs 1.1 lakh crore have been identified in Andhra Pradesh for implementation under Sagar Mala program of the shipping ministry.  As many as 35 works worth Rs 32,000 Crore in the state have already been completed, Union Minister of Ports and Shipping  Sarbananda Sonowal said recently.
 
Speaking at the Global Investors’ Summit being held here, he said some of the projects are focused on roll on roll off (RORO), passenger jetty, fishing, port modernization and skill development among others. According to the Minister, Visakhapatnam Port has exhibited a healthy cargo growth of over 7.5 per cent in 2022-23.
 
Following directions from the Ministry, the port is in the process of transforming as a landlord port. Other ports also may comply by 2023,” said the Shipping Minister. He said six projects are operating in Visakhapatnam Port, awarded in January 2023 with an investment of Rs 658 crore.
 
Mr.Sonowal said the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, in association with the Ministry of Fishing is upgrading fishing harbors all over India as per international standards. As many as 31 such harbors will be developed under Sagarmala.
 
The fishing harbor at Visakhapatnam is being upgraded at a cost of Rs 151 crore, which will result in improving the quality of life of the local fishing community. An international Mini cruise terminal in the port city of Visakhapatnam is nearing completion at a cost of Rs 97 crore, and is likely to start operations from April.
 
Major cruise terminals are built in Mumbai Goa and Cochin while mini terminals at put up a Chennai and Visakhapatnam. The biggest cruise terminal has come up at Mumbai Port at a cost of nearly Rs five hundred crores and will act as the cruise hub of the country.