DEEPENING OF CHANNELS

• Phase-I deepening of the entrance channel and turning circle of Inner harbour to facilitate navigation of Panamax vessels with 11 mtrs. draft vessels is under progress. (Expected date of completion: October, 2006)

• Phase-II deepening of inner harbour to handle Panamax vessels upto 14 meters draft will be taken up in 2007-08  (Expected date of completion: December, 2007)

• Deepening of Outer Harbour Approach Channel, Turning circle to handle vessels upto 200,000 DWT will be taken up during 2007-08.

• Deepening and strengthening of Ore berth to cater to 200,000 DWT vessels will be taken up in 2008-09

STRENGTHENING OF EXISTING BERTHS

• 4 berths viz., EQ-7, WQ-1 to WQ-3 are proposed to be strengthened and deepened to facilitate Panamax vessels upto 12.5 meters draft. in 2007-08.

• 2 berths WQ1, and WQ2 are being strengthen to cater 11 meters draft vessels.

• 2 berths WQ4 and WQ5 will be strengthened and deepened to cater 12.5 meters draft2008-09.

• 4 berths viz., EQ-1 to EQ-4 which were built during 1930s are proposed to be upgraded to 14 meters draft in 2008-09.

• Proposal to construct WQ-8 berth and install mechanized ship shore loading facilities for export of alumina is planned in 2008-09

• Installation of mechanized facilities at WQ-7 berth for exports of alumina is planned in 2007-09.

• Installation of integrated mechanized handling facility for ship shore discharge and loading into wagons at general cargo berth is planned during 2008-09.

• Up gradation of iron ore handling facility at Outer harbour during 2009-10 at a cost of 190 corers is under consideration.

CONSTRUCTION OF NEW BERTHS UNDER PPP

• One multipurpose berth WQ-6 to cater to 14 meters draft vessels is planned under BOT ( 2006-07)

• One berth EQ-10 for caustic soda on BOT (2007-08)

• Additional Link Road connecting to National Highway with the operational area is under construction as a joint venture with National Highways Authority of India and is expected to be commissioned by September 2006.

• Improvement to internal road net work in the operational area by constructing road fly avers, 4 lane road, strengthening of existing roads, provision of additional access to NH-5 etc., at an estimated cost of Rs. 240 crores in 2 phases in planned.

• 2 Transit sheds of 4350 sq meters is under construction ( Anticipated date of completion: September, 2006)

• 4 Nos. open storage sheds of 20730 sq meters will be provided by June, 2008

• Development of stacking area at east yard dumps close to the outer harbour area has been taken up.

• Procurement of additional tugs and replacement of cranes.

• Replacement of tugs / floating crafts / Locos.

• Revamping and strengthening of rail connectivity.

• The most prestigious project coming up at VPT is development of LPG cavern facility - First of its kind in South Asia-. This is being developed by South Asia LPG Co. Ltd., a JV between HPCL and TOTAL and envisages mined rock cavern at a depth of 162 meters below sea level with acapacity to store 60,000 tonnes of LPG. The Project is expected to be completed by September, 2007