Union Ports Minsiter dedicates Waterfrong Promenade at Vizag Port , launches project worth Rs 560-Cr
Visakhapatnam, Nov 11 (TNT): Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday dedicated a waterfront promenade at Visakhapatnam Port to the public and laid foundation stones for several development projects, taking the value of the new works to around Rs 560 crore.
The 710-metre-long promenade, developed at a cost of Rs 19 crore over 5.5 acres, stretches from the Venkateswara Temple to the International Cruise Terminal.
It features a waterfront walkway, two viewing decks, a park, public plaza, children’s play area, food court and parking facilities.
speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said the project would open the port to the people of Visakhapatnam by providing a safe and regulated space to view ships and port operations.
The facility was developed on existing port land without affecting cargo handling activities, he said.
Sonowal also laid foundation stones for three projects involving the operation and maintenance of existing cargo terminals at WQ-1 and WQ-1RE, WQ-2 and WQ-3, and EQ-3 berths.
The projects involve mechanisation of the berths through cranes and conveyor systems, along with environmental safeguards. They are expected to generate employment for around 500 local people and improve cargo handling capacity and utilisation of the berths.
Another project involves upgrading the port’s sewage treatment capacity from 10 million litres per day to 15 million litres per day, at an estimated cost of Rs 11 crore. The expansion includes a new treatment facility with a capacity of five million litres per day. Treated water is being used for dust suppression, road wetting and sprinkling at stockyards.
The Union Minister said Visakhapatnam Port handled a record 91.17 million metric tonnes of cargo during 2025-26, registering around 10 per cent growth over the previous year and marking its fourth consecutive year of growth.
Between April 1 and October 31 this year, cargo handling increased by 4.44 million metric tonnes, or 8.88 per cent, compared with the corresponding period last year. He urged port officials and employees to surpass the previous year’s growth target.
Sonowal said the projects reflected the Centre’s focus on developing modern port infrastructure while ensuring public participation, environmental sustainability and employment opportunities for local people.
He also said the port was moving towards a landlord-port model to improve operational efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time and lower logistics costs.
The port has a permissible draft of 16 metres at its container terminal, he said.
The port has also taken up four public-private partnership projects worth around Rs 800 crore, which are under construction and expected to be commissioned by 2027.
The Union Minister is scheduled to participate in the 31st CII Partnership Summit-2026, being hosted by the Andhra Pradesh government in Visakhapatnam on November 12 and 13, under the theme ‘Navigating New World Order: Trade, Technology, Trust’.
Sonowal thanked Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the Andhra Pradesh government for their support.
Visakhapatnam MP M Sribharat, Rajya Sabha member Golla Babu Rao, Andhra Pradesh BJP president P V N Madhav, and Visakhapatnam Port Authority Chairperson Jasmeet Singh Bindra attended the programme.
TNT KM
