Hyderabad, July 12 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy Sunday dedicated to the nation the Gangavaram port in Visakhapatnam district, which is expected to spur economic growth in the coastal region and the neighboring states.
The ultra-modern multipurpose all-weather port was inaugurated almost a year after it started functioning. The developers claim it is the deepest port in India with a depth of 21 metres, capable of handling super cape size vessels up to 200,000 DWT (dead weight tonnage).

Developed by the DVS Raju led consortium in public-private partnership at a cost of Rs.2,000 crore, the port in the first phase has five berths with mechanized handling facilities.

Located 15 km from Visakhapatnam port, it commenced operations in August last year, nearly three years after the work on the project began.

The port officials said it has already handled five million tonnes of cargo since the launching of operations. It is expected to handle 13 million tonnes to 15 million tonnes of cargo during the current fiscal.

The chief minister said the second port at Visakhapatnam would give a major boost to the economy of the region. “With the opening of this port, many new industries will come up in coastal Andhra, which has already been identied as petro-chemical corridor by the government of India,” he said.

Neighboring states Chhattisgarh and Orissa are also expected to get benefited from this port, as heavy equipment and materials required for setting up major industries in these states can be handled here.

The new port provides cargo handling services for a variety of bulk cargo including coal, iron ore, fertiliser, limestone, foodgrains, steel products and petrochemicals. Visakhaptnam Steel Plan is benefited from the new port.

YSR, as the chief minister is popularly known by his initials, said his government was committed to develop one port in each of the nine coastal districts to ensure comprehensive development of the region.

Gangavaram port has 2800 acres of land and can be developed in a phased manner over the next 50 years. The road and rail connectivity is also close to the site.