New Seaport, Shipyard to Come up Near Vizag
posted on Jun 28, 2011 @ 7:18PM
The industrial profile of Visakhapatnam is all set to get a major boost with the Centre accepting the proposal of Andhra Pradesh government to locate its proposed integrated major port and shipyard near Vizag. Sources told that the Ministry of Shipping has approved the location that was identified by the chief minister's office after a preliminary survey.
The proposed site is located at Nakkapali, 60 km from Vizag. Sources said up to 5,000 acres is required as the proposed port would also have a Greenfield shipyard to undertake repair of ships as well as construction of Very Large Crude Carriers and merchant ships. The need for a greenfield shipyard has become a necessity after the Hindustan Shipyard Limited was taken over by the Ministry of Defence. Now the Ministry of Shipping wants to have a new shipyard as HSL, being in the defence sector, will only construct warships and submarines.
The twin projects - the major port and shipyard will need a massive investment - up to Rs.10,000 crore. Hence the projects will be taken up in phases through the Public Private Partnership route. According to indications, the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, which runs the Visakhapatnam Port, may also seek equity in the prestigious project. Though another site, Ramayyapeta, on the southern tip, is also proposed as an alternative location, sources said Visakhapatnam, due to availability of world-class infrastructure, is being given preference by the State government.