Port now focusing on rail connectivity to ease congestion on roads

Chennai:

Chennai Port is now focusing on rail connectivity to reduce the congestion on the road and enhance the efficiency of the port, according to P C Parida, deputy chairman of Chennai Port.

Addressing a press conference along with chairman of Chennai Port Atulya Misra, he said the internal lines are being augmented and strengthened as part of port modernization.

“The third and fourth lines being developed by Southern Railway will significantly improve rail connectivity to hinterland,” said Parida, adding that the capacity will increase from 10 rakes to 27 rakes per day in 2014.

He said four private container terminal operators Arshiya Rail Infrastructure, SICAL-Sattva Rail Terminal, Kribcho Infrastructure and Hind Terminal have shown interest to operate with their own container trains.

“In addition, based on their requests, the operators are permitted to invest and develop the rail infrastructure at Bharati Dock Railyard as common user facility to increase rail movement of the container,” Misra added.

The above initiatives will improve rail share of containers from seven per cent to 30 per cent and enhance the overall efficiency of Chennai port, he added.

He also said the concession for the Mega Container Terminal planned at north of Bharathi Dock at a cost of Rs 3686 crore is expected to be awarded shortly. The port has re-invited the request for proposals during March 2012 and in response two bids were received. “The bids shall be opened as soon as the security clearance is received from the government. This mega terminal will add an additional capacity of four million TEUs over and above the existing container handling capacity.