By IANS,
New Delhi : The central government Thursday approved a Rs.5.38 billion project for deepening Tamil Nadu’s Tuticorin port to enable it cater to large cargo ships, of 75,000 dead-weight tonnes (DWT) and a with a draught of up to 12.8 metres.
“This will boost export-import trade by saving time and transhipment costs,” Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters Thursday after a meeting of the government’s cabinet committee on economic affairs (CCEA), presided over by prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
“It will also reduce the sea freight for bulk cargo,” he added.
After the deepening, the port will be able to handle mainline fourth generation container vessels of 56,000 DWT and bulk carriers of up to 75,000 DWT with a maximum draught of 12.8 metres, the minister pointed out.
Giving details of the project, Dasmunsi said it included dredging the channel to a depth of up to 14.7 metre, to a width of 230 metres and to a length of 3.4 km from the port entrance.
“The approval also includes dredging a part of the existing harbour basin area, including the turning circle area to a depth of up to 14.1 metres,” Dasmunsi said.
Of the total project cost, Rs.3.49 billion or 65 percent will be borne by the Tuticorin Port Trust either from its internal resources or through borrowings and the centre will give Rs.1.88 billion or 35 percent as a grant, the minister added.