The Tuticorin Port Trust has sought an assistance of INR 2,800 crore from Official Development Assistance of Japan to develop the Outer Harbor project, which was first proposed more than three years ago.

According to Mr A Subbiah chairman of Tuticorin Port Trust said that the port trust plans the project at a cost of INR 4360 crore to create an additional capacity of nearly 43 million tonnes. While half the investment has been sought from the ODA through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the remaining will be through public-private-partnership.

The project envisages construction of nine berths three for multi cargo; three for containers; two for coal and one to handle vessels for the port trust. The container berth will have a quay length of nearly 1.5 km.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest has put the outer harbor project on a roll on or a fast track. Once cleared, the project will be recommended to the ODA for funding.

As suggested by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, a public hearing was held in April last year to apprise local people on the likely benefits, including employment from the project.

(Sourced from Business Line)