Ajeya Kallam, Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port informed that the port authority would soon operationalise the fully mechanized coal-handling facility at its general cargo berth. The mechanized coal-handling facility is intended to provide a lasting solution to pollution.
He informed this after hoisting the National Flag on the occasion of the Republic Day. He said work on five public-private-partnership (PPP) projects, which includes a general cargo berth, West Quay-6, East Quay-10, East Quay-1 and East Quay-1A, is in progress.
He further informed that three more projects extension of container terminal, development of West Quay North berth and integrated iron-ore-handling facility may be awarded by March. Work on deepening of the inner harbour entrance channel and turning circle to cater to 14-meter draft vessels may be completed by June.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the port has been facing decline in cargo volume in the last several months. Decline in iron ore imports by China, decline in domestic steel production, decline in crude import by the HPCL and de-commissioning of some berths for modernization have led to the slump in traffic, Kallam said.
He said major ports in the country handled 405 million tonne up to December against 418 million tonne the previous year, with Visakhapatnam handling 48 million tonne during the period against 57 million tonne during the previous year.
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