PNS|Vijayawada
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, inaugurated the Vizag International Cruise Terminal (VICT) on Monday.
Sonowal acknowledged the substantial contributions of Andhra Pradesh to India’s growth and thanked the people of Andhra Pradesh for their support. He emphasised the government’s commitment, as set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to make India self-reliant and a premier global destination by 2047.
Minister Amarnath lauded the development of the cruise terminal as a significant milestone for the thriving port city. Recognising the pivotal role of ports in the State’s economic development, he highlighted VICT’s potential to meet the burgeoning demand for cruise tourism.
BJP Rajya Sabha MP GVL Narasimha Rao also shared his insights during the event, affirming that the newly constructed cruise terminal would soon host national and international cruises. He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the collaborative effort between the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) and the Union Ministry of Tourism in bringing this project to fruition.
VICT, a substantial investment amounting to Rs 96.05 crore, with a contribution of Rs 38.50 crore from the Union Tourism Ministry, is poised to serve vessels carrying up to 2,000 passengers, boasting a draft of 8.1 m. This state-of-the-art terminal marks a significant stride in enhancing the tourism and maritime infrastructure of the region, further solidifying India’s position on the global map.
AP Industries and IT Minister Gudivada Amarnath, MPs MVV Satyanarayana, GVL Narasimha Rao, and Dr. Satyavathi, as well as MLA Thippala Nagireddy and Visakhapatnam Mayor Hari Venkata Kumari were present.
