THOOTHUKUDI: VOC Port Trust chairman A Subbiah called on the Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary to discuss various development issues facing the port.In order to augment the existing capacity of 23.72 million tonnes, the port has taken up massive infrastructure development projects. It has planned to handle about 100 million tonnes of cargo by 2020. Recently, a passenger ferry service was launched between Thoothukudi and Colombo, bringing Thoothukudi on to the tourism map. The port is preparing a detailed project report for setting up an outer harbour since the inner harbour development works would reach saturation point. According to Subbiah, the port has around 2398.34 acres of land comprising patta land, revenue poromboke land and Port Trust acquired land. After allotment of more than 60 percent of the land on long-term basis to various State, Central government and public sector organisations, and using 20 percent of the land for port related services, the balance land available is a meager 388.55 acres only. This is not sufficient for future development of the port. The ministry of shipping has taken a policy decision to set up two international size shipyards—one on the East Coast and the other on the West Coast of India. Since the VOC Port is located strategically close to the international sea route, it is proposed to set up an international size shipyard at Thoothukudi. Such a mega project will fetch huge investment in this region. It will facilitate developmental ancillary industries. It provide huge job opportunity for southern districts in Tamil Nadu. Subbiah submitted a proposal to the Chief Secretary for transfer of about 2,185 acres of poromboke land at Thoothukudi on July 25 in the Secretariat. A maritime research facility, considering the location of the port in the Gulf of Mannar biosphere, has also been proposed.A proposal to set up a port-based special economic zone is also under consideration, based on the transfer of land to the VOC Port Trust. In addition, other development issues like construction of north cargo berth I for the Neyveli Thermal Power Ltd and of a second berth for handling thermal coal so that the port can handle 75,000 DWT PANAMAX vessels, construction of shallow water berths, one each for handling construction material and cement, strengthening the port security by installation of vessel traffic management system, the implementation of enterprise resource planning system for paperless office and mechanisation of berths for increasing productivity were also discussed between Subbiah and the chief secretary. During the meeting, the chief secretary promised to look into the matter and do the needful, informed Subbiah in a press statement.
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