Business

Funds sought to develop Thangasserry port

KOCHI: The State government has sent proposals to the Union government for financial assistance of Rs.1,280 lakh for developing Thangasserry port under the Assistance to States for Infrastructure Development of Exports and Allied Activities (Aside).

The nodal agency appointed by the State government, Kinfra, will implement the project.

An amount of Rs.5 crore has already been sanctioned under the Aside scheme for the project, according to officials associated with the project.

In accordance with the State policy to rejuvenate the neglected minor ports, the Harbour Engineering Department had conducted a feasibility study for the development of port facilities.

Though Thangassery belongs to the minor port category, port activities have become almost defunct due to the change in pattern of shipping activities and also due to the absence of an entrance channel, officials said.

The breakwaters at the port extend to 2100 m in length and the total area of the harbour basin is more than 10 hectares. The harbour was created for carrying out fisheries activities.

Thangassery has an entrance channel width of 330 m. The inland waterway connecting Kottappuram is 100 m away.

The construction of a wharf size ‘116m x 12m’ has already been completed. The berth can be extended to 200 metres.

The approach channel can be dredged to 10 metres. On completion of these facilities, ships of 10-metre draught and 40,000 DWT capacity can be accommodated.

The management and development of the 14 minor ports and three intermediate ports are the responsibility of the State government.

The Port Department manages the port activities and the Harbour Engineering Department is entrusted with all coastal engineering and technical matters connected with development and maintenance of ports in Kerala.

The minor ports at Azhikkal, Beypore and Neendakara are operational and considerable cargo movement is taking place at Beypore.

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