First phase of Multi-Modal Terminal at Varanasi to cost Rs 170 crore

The government on Wednesday said that it has contracted AFCONS Infrastructure to construct the phase I of the Multi-Modal Terminal at Varanasi for Rs 170 crore.

"The contract for construction of phase I of the Multi-Modal Terminal at Varanasi has been awarded to AFCONS Infrastructure at an estimated cost of Rs 170 crore," the Ministry of Shipping said in a statement.

"The cargo handling capacity of the Terminal on completion of phase 1 is estimated to be 1.2 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA)."

According to the ministry, the project is likely to be completed by August 2018.

"The cargo that will be handled at the Terminal includes stone chips, cement, food grains, fertilisers, sugar etc," the statement elaborated.

"The Terminal will have facilities including berthing space for two vessels simultaneously, storage area, transit shed, parking areas, among others. The Terminal will also have a floating jetty for passenger transportation."

The statement pointed out that the phase-I of the project will cover the Haldia-Varanasi stretch, which falls on National Waterway-1.

"National Waterway-1 (NW-1) is being developied under the Jal Marg Vikas Project, with assistance from the World Bank at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,200 crore," the statement cited.

The Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari is expected to lay the foundation stone of the terminal on August 12, 2016.

Gadkari will also flag-off the trial run of two cargo vessels from Varanasi on the occasion.

"The two vessels viz. MV Joy Basudev (capacity 1400 tons) and MV V.V Giri (capacity 300 tons), containing newly assembled cars of Maruti Suzuki and construction material, respectively will be flagged off from the Aghoreshwar Bhagwan Ram Ghat Varanasi at 11 AM on August 12, 2016," the statement added.

--IANS

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