Gadkari to open advanced equipment at Visakhapatnam Port Trust on July 13

Visakhapatnam: Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari will inaugurate the most advanced new post-panama rail mounted quay cranes and allied equipment at Visakhapatnam Container Terminal in Visakhapatnam Port Trust on July 13. 

Nitin Gadkari is coming to the Port City to participate in various programmes in VPT and NHAI. The VCTPL acquired the equipment at a cost of Rs 150 crore.

Revealing the Union Minister’s visit and important programmes at a press conference, Chairman, VPT MT Krishna Babu said that the minister would also inaugurate upgraded and modernised iron ore handling complex under PPP mode by Essar Vizag Terminals Limited (EVTL). The project was undertaken at a cost of Rs 500 crore by EVTL.

All the major ports heads and deputies, strategist, developers of Sagaramala Project and other officials of the ministry would also be coming to a review meeting. The minister would review the activities of various major ports and the activities of VPT. For the first time, the VPT is hosting the meeting of all the major port heads in the city, Krishna Babu said.

Speaking in the meeting, Anil Deekshit, Regional Officer of NHAI, Andhra Pradesh, said that the Union Minister would lay foundation stone for the long awaited 50.78 km-long six-lane highway from Anakapalle to Anandapuram.

The ministry sanctioned the project at a cost of Rs 2,013 crore. The minister would lay the foundation stone for four-lane connectivity to VPT between Sabbavaram to Sheelanagar under Hybrid Annuity Model. The minister would also inaugurate the widened road from two-lane to four-lane port connectivity road built at a cost of Rs 80 crore, Anil Deekshit said.

Talking about the high estimations over Rs 40 crore per km for the 6-lane highway between Anakapalle to Anandapuram, the NHAI official said that because of the four flyovers, besides 6-lane two adjacent approach roads, the cost of the project escalated to Rs 2,013 crore. The returns from the developed highway would be collected thorough toll-gates only, the official added.

Nitin Gadkari would also participate in mega plantation programme and inaugurate the new fire station complex in the port. Deputy Chairman PL Haranath and NHAI, Project Officer, Visakhapatnam, Srinivas were also present.