Chennai Port hunts for land to shift some of its operations to ease congestion

Chennai:

Chennai Port is looking for land to shift some of its operation from
its premises to ease congestion, according to Port trust Chairman
Atulya Mishra.

This comes in the wake of Union Minister of Roadways, Highways and
Shipping Nitin Gadkari suggesting to the Chennai Port Trust chairman
to look out for land outside the city so that some of the operations
of port are shifted.

Mishra said Chennai Port is looking to have talks to with state
government in identifying land near the beach.

The movement of trucks is affected near Chennai Port as
container-laden vehicles get stuck at various points leading up to
main gate (zero gate) of Chennai Port due to shortage of customs
officials for seal verification, reduced number of entry points and
stoppage of vehicles at different points by traffic police and other
agencies.

Meanwhile, the development multi-modal logistics hub and dry port at
Sriperumbur to cater to containerized traffic in the port is gathering
pace.

Mishra told Express that the land area to an extent of 121.74 acres
which is in three parcel at Mappedu near Sriperumbudur had already
been taken on long lease (99 years) from SIPCOT.

The land has been parceled into 16 acres, 30 acres and 75 acres. “The
work in the 16 acres of land has already been awarded to a
concessionaire,” Mishra said.

He said Chennai Port has floated tenders for developing the remaining
parcels of land. The last date is November 14, he added.

The proposed dry port will consolidate the position of Chennai Port as
container hub on the East Coast and will facilitate enhancement of the
Port capacity.