VPA- IWAI undertaking 36 projects with investment of Rs. 4,600 Crs
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr Sarbananda Sonowal recently informed the Lok Sabha that under the Sagarmala Programme the ministry has received 29 new proposals from the Government of Andhra Pradesh, worth approximately Rs. 3,300 Crores covering various projects including port development, coastal berths, and fish landing centers.
The Minister highlighted 13 projects in Andhra Pradesh, valued around Rs. 2,500 Crores are currently receiving financial assistance under the Sagarmala Scheme.
These projects include Ro-Pax and passenger jetties, fishing harbours, port modernization, and skill development. The Ministry has already sanctioned Rs 450 Cr. for development of these projects.
Additionally, the Visakhapatnam Port Authority and IWAI have undertaken 36 projects in Andhra Pradesh, with a combined investment of Rs. 4,600 Crores.
Among these, 22 projects worth Rs. 2,530 Crores have been completed, while 14 projects worth Rs. 2,070 Crores are in various stages of implementation.
A state of art International Cruise cum coastal Terminal at Visakhapatnam Port has been built to cater to the needs of passengers from around the world.
Out of the 29 new proposals, the Ministry has partially funded 4 projects worth Rs. 1,200 Cr. For projects related to development of Bhavanapadu Port, Ramayapatnam Port and Machilipatnam Port, Government of Andhra Pradesh has been requested to restructure the projects and explore the possibility of funding under Special assistance to States for Capital Investment under PM GatiShakti. Projects related to Coastal Berths and Fish Landing Centres (FLCs) have also been forwarded to the Ministry of Finance for their necessary approvals.
Mr Sonowal also mentioned the establishment of two Centers of Excellence in Maritime and Shipbuilding (CEMS) in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam.
The Visakhapatnam centre, a first of its kind in Asia, has equipped over 10,000 students with engineering and technical skills.
The Sagarmala program is aimed at transforming the maritime sector and leveraging the country’s extensive coastline and navigable waterways for port-led development.
The minister was responding to a starred question in the Lok Sabha raised by Mr Krishna Prasad Tenneti and Mr Y S Avinash Reddy regarding proposals made under the Sagarmala Project in Andhra Pradesh.
