Tamil Nadu - Tuticorin   

24 more projects in major ports in next two years

— Photo: N. Rajesh

Keep it up: Union Minister For Shipping & Road Transport and Highways T.R. Baalu, handing over the Best Export Award to an exporter in Tuticorin on Thursday. Social Welfare Minister P. Geetha Jeevan looks on.

TUTICORIN: The Best Export Awards to exporters and users of Tuticorin port were given away by the Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu, at a function organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) here on Thursday.

Mr. Baalu, who lauded the achievements of the Tuticorin Port Trust, appealed to various stakeholders to take the port to greater heights.

He said 24 more projects would be taken up in the next two years in all major ports.

Exports achieved 24 per cent growth last year and this year 35 per cent growth was achieved in exports and 35.7 per cent in imports.

Port capacity in the country achieved a growth of 532 million tonnes and by 2011-12 1.5 billion tonne capacity enhancement was expected, he said.

Geetha Jeevan, Minister for Social Welfare, said the implementation of Colachel port project should not hamper the development projects of Tuticorin port and called for adequate fund allocation for dredging, inner and outer harbour development and speedy completion of four-lane project.

G. J. Rao, Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust, said that Tuticori port could not afford to spread its wings without exporters.

Tuticorin port that had 10.8 metre draft should attain al least 12 metre draft, he said.

T. Johnson, president, ICCI, M.S. Tajudeen, vice-president, V.S.A. Jayaraman, vice-president, A. Subbiah, Deputy Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust, and D.R. Kodeeswaran, secretary, ICCI were present.

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