Visakhapatnam: Two months after announcing that the port of Visakhapatnam would be building a terminal for cruise liners, Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has launched a search for a consultant for the project. The terminal is estimated to cost Rs 70 crore, VPT deputy chairman PL Haranadh said on Monday.Haranadh said the cruise liner terminal would be built in the outer harbour.“The berth will have a quay length of 250 metre. This will enable even the largest cruise liner, which can carry thousands of passengers, to berth at the terminal,” he said.The Union tourism ministry would fund half of the terminal’s cost, Rs 35 crore. “The ministry has told VPT that it will be chipping in with 50% of the cost,” he said.Haranadh also said that the port has had two visits by cruise ships, with the last one berthing on Sunday. “Foreign tourists are interested to visit Visakhapatnam because of various attractions here, including Buddhist religious sites. Their visits will help the city’s economy,” he said. The project will be implemented by the port, and is scheduled to be completed in 24 months.Asked about the expansion of the container terminal, which is owned and managed by Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd, Haranadh said that the concessionaire had completed all formalities, including the critical financial closure, to begin the expansion work.

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