The Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP), the first phase of which was inaugurated in May this year, has suffered a loss about Rs.10 lakh during the very severe cyclonic storm Hudhud.
The MMLP, the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh, being established by the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), is planned to be built on a 100-acre site, opposite the Visakhapatnam International Airport, over a period of two years at an estimated cost of Rs.370 crore.
In the first phase, a 5,075 sq.m. warehouse and an administrative building have been constructed. “The gale has damaged about 1,000 sq. m. of the 5,075 sq.m. warehouse and this is minimal considering the 180-200 km/ph strong winds during the cyclone. As many as 40 of the 88 polycarborate sheets (which allow natural light into the main shed, and about 1,000 sq.m. of bare galvalume sheets have been damaged and need replacement,” CONCOR General Manager Gouri Shankar told The Hindu on Thursday.
Meanwhile, the CONCOR Container Freight Station (CFS) at the port area has suffered a loss of Rs.37 lakh due to Hudhud. “The roof of the warehouse of our CFS is badly damaged, two HHT towers had collapsed and the boundary wall was damaged at some places,” he said.
Cargo loss“The glass panes and windows and CCTV surveillance cameras at the administrative building of the CFS were damaged. The cargo loss is yet to be assessed by the clients,” Mr. Gouri Shankar said.
The MMLP, which was designed to offer integrated logistical solutions to the trade not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in the neighbouring states of Odisha and Chhattisgarh, would have a private freight terminal, container freight stations and facilities for empty container storage and handling besides container repair facilities. There would be covered and temperature-controlled warehouses with a total space of 4.5 lakh sq. ft.
“A 2-km long railway track would be laid with seven lines to the yards. Approval has been received from the railways for construction of bridges and this project is expected to be completed in two years,” Mr. Gouri Shankar added.