Visakhapatnam Port opens public waterfront promenade; Sonowal lays stones for ₹560 crore works

Union Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal opened a waterfront promenade at Visakhapatnam Port to the public and laid foundation stones for four projects, taking the port's package of new works to about ₹560 crore.

The ₹19 crore Port Promenade runs about 710 metres from the Venkateswara Temple to the International Cruise Terminal over about 5.5 acres. It has a walkway, two view decks, a park, a plaza, a children's play area, a food court and parking. It was built on existing port land without affecting cargo operations, giving residents a regulated, safe place to watch port activity for the first time. "It opens up the port to the city," Sonowal said.

New contracts and a sewage plant

The foundation stones cover three contracts to operate and maintain existing cargo terminals, covering the WQ-1 and WQ-1RE berths, WQ-2 and WQ-3, and EQ-3. Operators must mechanise the berths and put environmental controls in place, and will employ about 500 local people. Sonowal said the contracts will secure assured cargo throughput and better use of capacity.

He also laid the foundation stone for upgrading the port's sewage treatment plant from 10 to 15 million litres a day, at about ₹11 crore. Treated water is used for dust suppression, and the upgrade supports the ministry's Harit Sagar green-port initiative.

Cargo figures

Sonowal said the port handled a record 91.17 million tonnes in 2025-26, about 10% more than a year earlier and its fourth straight year of growth. From 1 April to 31 October, cargo rose by 4.44 million tonnes, or 8.88%, on the same period last year. He asked port staff to beat last year's 10% growth.

What else is under way

The port has four public-private partnership projects worth about ₹800 crore under construction, expected to be commissioned by 2027. It is moving to a landlord-port model to cut vessel turnaround time and logistics costs. Sonowal was due to speak at the 31st CII Partnership Summit hosted by the Andhra Pradesh government on 12–13 November.

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Source: official release by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, issued through the Press Information Bureau, Government of India (11 NOV 2026 8:38PM by PIB Delhi). Read the full official text: Sarbananda Sonowal Lays Foundation Stones for Projects Worth Rs 560 Crore at Visakhapatnam Port.