The long-awaited Vizag International Cruise Terminal (VICT) will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on 4 September.
The VICT is located on the premises of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA).
According to an official release from the VPA, Sonowal will inaugurate a total of four projects worth Rs 333.56 crore on 4 September.
One of these projects is the VICT, which was developed with an investment of Rs96.05 crore. The Union Tourism Ministry contributed Rs38.50 crore towards its development.
The terminal can accommodate passenger vessels with a capacity of 2,000 passengers per vessel and a draft of 8.1 metres.
According to M Angamuthu, chairperson of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), the objective is to attract international tourists and put Vishakapatnam on the global cruise tourism map.
The completion of VICT will play a significant role in achieving this goal.
Highlighting the potential of Visakhapatnam’s hinterland, Angamuthu mentioned the presence of beautiful coastlines, lush hills, ancient temples, and Buddhist sites. These attractions make the region a promising destination for tourists seeking diverse experiences.
Regarding the business model, VPA will charge each passenger $6, while the cruise companies will be required to pay $0.085 per gross registered tonnage (GRT).
In addition to the VICT, the Union Minister will also open three other projects. One of them is the “covered storage shed” at the R-11 area, constructed at a cost of ₹33.80 crore. This shed has the capacity to store 84,000 tons of bulk and bagged cargo. The purpose of the covered shed is to reduce pollution caused by storing open cargo in bulk, as stated by a VPA official. The revamped berth of OR 1 will also be inaugurated, reports The Hindu.
According to a Port official, the inauguration of OR 1, one of the three berths, will take place on September 4. The remaining berths will be inaugurated by October 31, 2024.
The Truck Parking Terminal (TPT) will be the fourth project. It will be built on a 20-acre area and will require an investment of Rs 36.05 crore. The terminal will have the capacity to accommodate 666 vehicles.