Update on Tuticorin Port expansion

Tag : Port Number
July 16, 2008
Update on Tuticorin Port expansion plans
BL reported that Tuticorin Port celebrated its 34th Foundation Dayon July 11 2008. Declared as a major port in 1974, the erstwhileanchorage port and the Tuticorin New Harbor were integrated in 1979with the constitution of Tuticorin Port Trust Board.

Mr A. Subbaiah vice chairman of Tuticorin Port Trust said that anumber of developments took place with the increase in traffic.From a modest 1.035 million tonnes during 1974 or 1975, the porthas grown to handle 21.84 million tonnes during 2007 or 2008. Ithas secured the third position among the major Indian ports interms of growth rate 19.33% during 2007 or 2008. It has handled450,398 TEUs during 2007 or 2008, registering 19.44% growth.

Currently, under the National Maritime Development Program, thegovernment has sanctioned several projects to the tune of INR4,571.25 crore for development. Under Phase I, 17 projects with anoutlay of INR 961.25 crore are under implementation. Under PhaseII, 7 projects with an outlay of INR 3,610 crore are to beimplemented. The schemes approved include the construction of NorthCargo Berth No.1 at an outlay of INR 40 crore, capital dredgingproject at an outlay of INR 538 crore and an in principle approvalfor the development of an Outer Harbor under public privatepartnership.

Future projects envisaged include development of 129 acres in theHare Island adjoining Red Gate of the port to handle dusty cargowith a separate 2 kilometer railway line an eco park and a bufferzone, a special economic zone in 160 acres of port land foragriculture oriented and food processing units, textiles, nonpolluting industries and hi tech industries with provision ofwater, road & electricity and a request to the Tamil NaduGovernment for transfer of an additional 2,185 acres for expansionof the port estate.