November 20, 2008

9th cargo berth of Tuticorin Port commissioned

Mr Thiru T R Baalu union minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways presided over a function in Tuticorin wherein the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr M Karunanidhi dedicated the 9th Cargo Berth of Tuticorin Port Trust in the service of the nation through video conferencing facility.

This Berth has been created at a cost of INR 40 Crore.

The Minister disclosed that the government of India plans to contribute INR 789.98 crore through budgetary support for the Tuticorin Port. Out of the 24 projects planned for the Tuticorin Port under the NMDP, three have already been completed, six are under progress and five are under various stages of approval or award.

Government of India has recently sanctioned another project namely deepening the channel and basin at the Tuticorin Port at a cost of INR 538 crore to cater to 12.8 draught vessels by the port, to be completed within a period of 18 months with a budgetary support of 35% cost of project ie INR 188.30 crore.

The Minister said that with the present capacity of 20.75 million tonnes, the Tuticorin Port has handled 21.84 million tonnes and secured the 3rd place among the Indian Major Ports last year.

He noted that in the last four years, including the berth inaugurated, the port’s capacity is being augmented from 15.40 million tonnes per annum to 25.05 million tonnes up by nearly 63%.The cargo handled has increased by 57% from 13.68 million tonnes in 2003-04 to 21.48 million tonnes in 2007-08. Container traffic has increased by 77% from 0.253 million TEUs to 0.451 million TEUs.