Visakhapatnam: Visakhapatnam Port has opened a new waterfront promenade to the public, marking a shift towards making port infrastructure more accessible to city residents. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the facility on November 11, 2026, and laid foundation stones for four infrastructure projects at the port.
The new promenade, developed at an estimated cost of ₹19 crore, stretches approximately 710 metres along the waterfront, connecting the Venkateswara Temple area with the International Cruise Terminal. Spread across 5.5 acres, the facility includes a public walkway, viewing decks, a park, a children’s play area and a food court.
The event also marked the launch of new cargo-terminal operation and maintenance contracts, which are expected to provide employment to around 500 local people.
A Public Waterfront Space Inside the Port
The promenade has been developed on existing port land without disrupting cargo-handling activities. It offers residents a designated space to view ships and observe port operations, while also adding a public attraction close to the International Cruise Terminal.
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Key features of the promenade include:
- A 710-metre waterfront walkway.
- Two viewing decks, including one designed as a Titanic-style viewpoint.
- A landscaped park and public plaza.
- A dedicated children’s play area.
- A food court and visitor parking facilities.
- Direct proximity to the International Cruise Terminal.
Sonowal said the project would help bring the port closer to the city and make its waterfront accessible to residents.
He described the initiative as part of a development approach in which citizens participate in and benefit from public infrastructure projects, rather than remaining mere recipients of government services.
Cargo-Terminal Contracts to Generate 500 Local Jobs
Alongside the promenade’s inauguration, the Union Minister laid foundation stones for three contracts covering the operation and maintenance of existing cargo terminals at Visakhapatnam Port.
The contracts cover the following berths:
- WQ-1 and WQ-1RE
- WQ-2 and WQ-3
- EQ-3
The selected operators will be required to mechanise the berths through the installation of cranes and conveyor systems, along with environmental-control measures.
The projects are expected to employ approximately 500 local people. They are also intended to improve cargo-handling efficiency, ensure more consistent cargo throughput and enable better utilisation of the port’s existing infrastructure.
According to the Ministry, the three terminal contracts have an estimated combined value of around ₹580 crore.
Sewage Treatment Capacity to Rise to 15 MLD
Another project launched during the event concerns the expansion of Visakhapatnam Port’s sewage-treatment infrastructure.
The existing treatment capacity of 10 million litres per day (MLD) will be increased to 15 MLD through the addition of a new 5-MLD treatment facility.
The upgrade is estimated to cost approximately ₹11 crore.
Treated wastewater is used within the port for activities such as:
- Dust suppression at operational areas.
- Wetting internal roads.
- Sprinkling water at stockpile yards.
The project is aligned with the Ministry’s Harit Sagar Green Port initiative, which promotes environmentally sustainable port operations.
Visakhapatnam Port Records 91.17 Million Tonnes of Cargo
The new infrastructure initiatives come as Visakhapatnam Port reports sustained growth in cargo handling.
The port handled a record 91.17 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo during the financial year 2025–26, registering approximately 10% growth over the previous year. This marked its fourth consecutive year of growth.
Its performance during the first seven months of the current financial year also remained positive.
Cargo performance highlights:
- FY 2025–26: Record cargo handling of 91.17 MMT.
- Year-on-year growth: Approximately 10%.
- April 1–October 31, 2026: Cargo handling increased by 4.44 MMT.
- Growth during the April–October period: 8.88% compared with the corresponding period last year.
During his interaction with port employees, Sonowal encouraged them to surpass the previous financial year’s growth rate.
Port’s Shift Towards a Landlord-Port Model
Visakhapatnam Port is also pursuing a broader infrastructure modernisation programme.
Four Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects, involving an investment of approximately ₹800 crore, are currently under construction and are expected to be commissioned by 2027.
The port has one of the deepest container terminals among India’s major ports, with a permissible draft of 16 metres. It is also transitioning towards a landlord-port model, under which private operators undertake terminal operations while the port authority focuses on infrastructure development and oversight.
The transition is intended to improve operational efficiency, reduce vessel turnaround time and bring down logistics costs.
Sonowal said the initiatives reflected the Centre’s focus on modernising India’s maritime infrastructure and strengthening the role of ports in the country’s economic development.
He also acknowledged the support of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the state government in advancing the projects.
The minister was in Visakhapatnam ahead of the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026, hosted by the Andhra Pradesh government on November 12 and 13 under the theme ‘Navigating New World Order: Trade, Technology, Trust.’
