The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Cargo handling capacity of ports will go up: Baalu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jan 20, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Cargo handling capacity of ports will go up: Baalu

Special Correspondent

387 projects to be taken up in Chennai port

CHENNAI: Cargo handling capacity of the ports is to be increased significantly over the next five years in tune with the demand to be generated as a result of the robust economic growth, according to the Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu.

Such a strategy was essential as the cumulative cargo handling of the 12 major and 187 minor ports in the country was close to capacity utilisation. Last year, they handled 567 million tonnes of cargo as against the available capacity of around 600 MT, he said at the inauguration of the maritime exhibition.

Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy inaugurated the exhibition, which was organised as part of the 125th year celebrations of Chennai port. The exhibition would be on till January 24. Stating that 387 projects were to be taken up in the port and shipping sector under the National Maritime Development Programme, Mr. Baalu said his Ministry aimed at increasing the cargo handling capacity of the ports to 2,000 MT by 2011-12. This development, he added, would be in a phased manner.

The Union Minister highlighted the significance of improving the port connectivity with the hinterland and pointed out that a project to upgrade and widen the road linking Chennai and Ennore ports had been initiated. On the compliments from other speakers about the initiatives of his Ministry, he said it was made possible due to the team effort.

Mr. Veerasamy detailed the new power projects that were to be established in the State, including a 1,000 MW project in Tuticorin on land belonging to the Tuticorin Port Trust. Following a request from his department, the port trust reduced the cost of land.

Trustees of Chennai Port Trust D. Pandian and L. Balaraman, Members of Parliament C. Kuppusami and Gingee N. Ramachandran, and senior advocate R. Gandhi offered felicitations.

Adviser to the Shipping Ministry D.T. Joseph said the exhibition would help spread awareness of the maritime sector. The Shipping secretary A.K. Mohapatra and Chennai Port Trust chairman K. Suresh spoke.

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