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The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB) plans to establish a greenfield port and restore a defunct minor port, following limited interest in redeveloping the existing facility due to persistent silting issues. The greenfield port, located within 5 km of the minor port, will leverage its 14-metre depth close to shore to handle large vessels and is expected to manage 13 million tonnes of cargo. The minor port will focus on shallow draft vessels, with potential for shipbuilding and repair activities. Target industries include thermal power plants, manufacturing hubs, and co-generation facilities, boosting trade and logistics. These developments aim to enhance cargo volumes, attract private investment, and drive economic growth in Tamil Nadu.
The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (TNMB) has put forward plans to establish a greenfield port and restore a defunct minor port. This decision comes after a lacklustre response to a bid issued by TNMB earlier this year to revitalise the minor port, which has been persistently affected by silting. Prospective bidders reportedly suggested that constructing a greenfield port nearby would be more viable than redeveloping the existing facility as an integrated port, according to M Vallalar, the Vice-Chairman and CEO of TNMB. Advertisement
Over INR 160 crore has been invested in the minor port to construct breakwaters, two 240-metre wharfs, and dredge an approach channel. Plans are now in place to develop it as a brownfield project. The port is designed to accommodate shallow draft vessels, such as barges.
Larger vessels can be anchored offshore, with cargo being loaded and unloaded using lighters or barges. He mentioned that some private players had shown a positive response during the recent meeting.
TNMB has approximately 100 acres of land adjacent to the minor port, which can be utilised for storage purposes. Vallalar mentioned that they were also considering the feasibility of undertaking shipbuilding or ship repair activities at the minor port. Speaking about the greenfield project, he noted that it would be developed within 5 km of the minor port, at a location where the depth reaches 14 metres just 1 km from the shore.
A government poromboke land of 47.14 acres, located adjacent to the 3.6 km waterfront, will also be included as part of the concession. Additionally, land may be acquired from private parties, he stated. Regarding the justification for developing the port facility, he explained that the import of coal for thermal power plants at Mettur, Cuddalore, and other manufacturing industries with co-generation power plants in central and western Tamil Nadu presents significant potential for the port.
For example, the railway distance from Ennore Port, through which coal is currently handled, to the Mettur Thermal Power Station is approximately 400 km. The import of clinker, finished cement, edible oil, sugar, and fertilisers is also expected to contribute significantly to the port's traffic.
The port could focus on capturing container volumes generated by industrial hubs like Tirupur, Salem, and Erode. However, he recognised that this would necessitate a diversion of traffic from the VOC port, which presently manages these shipments.
The greenfield port holds the potential to handle 13 million tonnes of various types of cargo. MK Vishnu Prasad, the Member of Parliament for Cuddalore, remarked that the port's development would encourage trade and logistics, thereby boosting revenue.
In conclusion, the development of the greenfield port and the restoration of the minor port are set to play a vital role in strengthening trade and logistics in Tamil Nadu. By tapping into industries like thermal power plants and manufacturing hubs, the port is poised to boost cargo volumes, create new business opportunities, and enhance regional economic growth. The involvement of private players and the strategic positioning of the port highlight its promising future in the state's infrastructure landscape.
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