Union Minister Sonowal To Inaugurate Vizag International Cruise Terminal Today

The much-anticipated Vizag International Cruise Terminal (VICT) will open this week. On 4 September, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will launch the terminal on the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) grounds.

As per an official statement from the Vishakhapatnam Port Authority, “Mr. Sonowal will inaugurate total four projects worth Rs 333.56 crore on the VPA premises on 4 September. The VICT will be one among them.” 

According to the information, the VICT was developed with an investment of Rs 96.05 crore. The Union Tourism Ministry has contributed Rs 38.50 crore for the project. Passenger vessels with a capacity of 2,000 passengers per vessel and the vessel’s draft of 8.1 metres can be operated at the terminal.

Apart from that, the Union Minister would launch three additional projects. One of them will be the 'covered storage shed' in the R-11 area, which will cost Rs 33.80 crore. The shed can hold up to 84,000 tonnes of bulk and bagged cargo. "The shed is covered to reduce pollution from storing open cargo that comes in bulk," claimed a VPA official. OR 1's redesigned berth will also be unveiled.

The port officials stated that the OR1 out of three berths will be inaugurated on September 4. Remaining berths by 31 October, 2024. The fourth project will be a 20-acre Truck Parking Terminal (TPT) with an investment of Rs 36.05 crore. The terminal has a capacity of 666 automobiles.