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‘PM wants global standard for Indian ports’
The proposed Vizag-Chennai corridor with manufacturing sectors at five different nodes will have port led development in South
- VPT signs MoU with Nepal, Bangladesh
- Vizag-Chennai corridor will hasten manufacture sector
Visakhapatnam: The proposed Vizag-Chennai corridor with manufacturing sectors at five different nodes will have port led development in South India and change the overall economic scenario in the region, said Visakhapatnam Port Trust Chairman MT Krishna Babu.
The Prime Minister has been insisting that the ports under the Sagarmala project should be modernised on par with the international ports and have manufacturing units located within 30 kilometres radius for faster economic growth, he pointed out.
“China has followed this strategy of having manufacturing units close to the ports and succeeded in building a strong economy,” he stated.
Interacting with this correspondent here on Saturday, the Chairman said Visakhapatnam Port Trust on its part of modernisation had appointed Boston Consulting Group which made certain recommendations to ensure world class performance. This includes slashing of pre-berthing detention, reduction of turnaround time and significant improvement of output per ship per berth-day. The present handling capacity would be enhanced from 93 million tonnes to 125 million tonnes after completion of all projects as recommended by the BCG.
“We have already completed projects worth Rs 2,000 crore and remaining works worth Rs 2,500 crore would be completed in two years from now. By 2018, the Visakhapatnam Port Trust would become most modern handling a capacity of 125 million tonnes,’’ the Chairman said.
The Sagaramala project also suggested inland waterways, which include modernisation of Buckingham Canal and its linkage to Visakhapatnam Port after completion of Poalvaram project, the Chairman added.
The inland waterways would reduce the load on the National Highways since each barge can carry a load of 1000 to 2,000 tonnes per trip.
Apart from the port development, under the Sagarmala project, the coastal community life style would also be improved by way of imparting skills to fisherfolk and other community groups.
The most ambitious project under Sagarmala is the 48 km six lane bypass road from Anakapalli to Anandapuram that would ease the load on the National Highway passing through the heart of the city.
The Visakhapatnam Port Trust will connect to this bypass road at Sabbavaram as 13 km road would be laid from Sheelangar near port to Sabbavaram. Total cost of this project is estimated at Rs 1,500 crore and VPT has asked NHAI for equity participation.
Quick evacuation and strong infrastructure will cut down the logistic costs as India spends 19 per cent on logistics. China spends nine per cent and European Union spends as little as six per cent, the chairman said.
Krishna Babu has also said the VPT has signed an MoU with Nepal and Bangladesh. Nepal is already operating from Kolkota and Visakhapatnam would be the second port as it can handle bigger ships.
Bangladesh cargo would be treated as domestic cargo and enjoy 40 per cent concession in port handling charges. Bangladesh will also get priority in berthing. The MoU with these two countries may not generate much cargo now, but there is a scope for massive improvement in the future, the Chairman added.
KMP Patnaik
