October 12, 2008

Krishnapatnam Port phase I to be ready by June 2008

BL reported that the first phase of the Krishnapatnam port, which is being taken up with an outlay of INR 1,200 crore, would be ready by June 2008 with 4 berths, far ahead of the original December 2008 deadline.

Mr CV Rao CMD of Navayuga Group said that “The other 2 phases will be taken up simultaneously. We hope to complete the phases by 2011-12.” He added that the port would have great potential on the east coast and Chennai port could not handle the iron ore and coal after 2008, just in time when Krishnapatnam port would be ready.

Navayuga group bagged the 50 year concession from the Andhra Pradesh government to upgrade the existing minor port into a modern deep-drafted multipurpose port. When all the phases are functional, Krishnapatnam port would have a total key wall length of 11.5 kilometer, making it easy for ship traffic.

Krishnapatnam port would become a location for Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Besides, power units, with a total generation capacities of 10, 000 to 12,000 MW would be coming up in the area. The state government sanctioned a special economic zone at Krishnapatnam, further enhancing the potential of the port. Keeping in mind the future traffic needs of the place, an INR 600 crore 114 kilometer long railway track is being laid, connecting the port with Obulavaripalli in Kadapa district.

To take care of the upcoming industries, the Navayuga group is also setting up an INR 1,000 crore desalination project with a capacity of 100 million liters a day.