VPT spending more than Rs 40 crore for upgrading facilities in Visakhapatnam ahead of IFR

Visakhapatnam: With the International Fleet Review just two months away, the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) is spending more than Rs 40 crore for upgrading facilities that include beach nourishment and beautification of the roads leading to the major port in the city.According to senior VPT officials, the major port is spending around Rs 25 crore on upgrading facilities and beautification of areas leading to it. "We are beautifying the entire stretch from Sheelanagar to PCR Junction and up to the naval headquarters with green dividers, plants, road resurfacing and improvement of drainage," a senior VPT official said.Referring to the facilities for disembarking crew members, the official said, "Previously, it was planned that whichever crew has to disembark, will do so at the catamaran landing facility opposite the Coastal Battery. This was thought to be risky and not tried on east coast. So we have taken up one slipway jetty for crew members of ships to disembark." Furthermore, he said, "The port is also strengthening the road connecting the jetty to the Beach Road and the port is spending around Rs 4 crore for the road."Also, beautification on both sides of the inner channel at the major port along with slope protection work is being taken up by VPT. "The President and Prime Minister are likely to go from the naval jetty to the outer harbour and then onto the anchorage for taking the salute. So we are beautifying the entire channel," another official said.Meanwhile, beach nourishment is being taken up in this month itself instead of the usual March-April period. Sources said VPT will be spending Rs 12 crore for beach nourishment and has selected two spots - RK Beach and Kursura Submarine Museum - for replenishment of sand taken from the VPT's sand trap. "The sea is calm during December and experts have said that pumping of sand 1.5 to 2 km south of where you want the nourishment will give better results. Therefore, it is being taken up this month."In addition to this, VPT is also expected to commission 2 mw out of the 10 mw solar power plant by January 15, 2016, with the remaining to be completed by March. "VPT wants to showcase itself as advancing towards becoming a green port. So the focus is on commissioning at least 2 MW by February when the PM and President would be here for the IFR," an official said.Confirming to TOI, VPT chairman MT Krishna Babu said, "We are totally taking up work of around Rs 40 crore to showcase the port and the city. We are expecting to complete all the works related to beautification, road resurfacing and other related works by December 31. We expect to see substantial improvement in the port city once the works are completed."