Cargo handling on the rise at Visakhapatnam Port Trust

Visakhapatnam: Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) MT Krishna Babu informed that the port handled 63.54 metric tonnes during 2017-18 with an incremental cargo of 2.52 metric tonnes and a growth rate of more than four per cent.

The Chairman unfurled the National Flag on the 72nd Independence Day celebrations held at the port stadium on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, Krishna Babu said that VPT ranked fourth among major ports and attributed the achievement to the workers, employees, officers, PPP operators, stevedores and shipping agents. 

The phase-1 mechanisation of iron ore handling in outer harbour was completed at a cost of Rs 580.89 crore on PPP mode and some of the major projects are in progress. The VPT is committed to protecting the environment by adopting comprehensive environment management system and major initiatives have been undertaken to curb dust pollution and air pollution, the Chairman said. 

As a responsible corporate citizen, the VPT has taken up social welfare activities covering education, health, sanitation and skill development for the benefit of the people and has allocated Rs 30.44 crore towards Swachhta Action Plan for the year 2018-19, Krishna Babu added.

PL Haranadh, Deputy Chairman, trustees, heads of departments, senior officers, employees, staff, CISF contingent and schoolchildren were present at the celebrations.