Eco-Friendly coal terminal in Visakhapatnam to help in cheap power production

The eco-friendly coal terminal in Vishakhapatnam would help to maintain a clean and green port, assist in the generation of power at a cheap cost and provide impetus to the country's economy.

Environment friendly coal handling terminal of Vedanta Resources in Vishakhapatnam is one of the largest and first fully automated coal terminals at major ports capable of handing Cape Vessels.

GK Manral the CEO of Vizag General Cargo Berth Private Limited (VGCB) said on Wednesday (May 29th) that the main purpose of the terminal was to reduce pollution.

"It eliminates the risk of dust flowing through, so we add comfort to the level of the people living in Vishakhapatnam," said Manral.

The project was implemented in October 2010 at a cost of $150 billion under the company's flagship firm Sterlite Industries along with an Australian partner in joint venture with Vizag General Cargo Berth Private Limited (VGCB).

It was planned by the Vishakhapatnam Port Trust to reduce coal dust pollution in ecosystem.

The project is based on the public private partnership model.

It is one of the largest and first fully automated coal terminals at major ports capable of handling Cape Vessels.

Manral also said that they have eliminated the use of extra machines like fore clips, bull dozers and pay loaders which otherwise caused a lot of smoke and dust thereby polluting the environment.

He cited the advantages of the environment friendly terminal.

"It will have multiple benefits. First of all the environment. Number two it will make the coal import cheap. Number three it will assist the power production at the cheaper cost and number four that will drive the economy of India," said Marnal.

Vizag General Cargo Berth Private Limited (VGCB) has been awarded the General Cargo Berth (GCB) at outer harbor of Vishakhapatnam Port for mechanization of coal handling facilities and up gradation for handling of coking coal and steam coal on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis through private sector participation for a 30-year concession period.