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Published: July 17, 2010 00:00 IST | Updated: July 17, 2010 04:28 IST“Outer harbour project will create more jobs”
Port expansion a significant step forward: Collector
Development of Outer Harbour at Tuticorin Port at an estimated cost of Rs. 4,350.60 crore in phase one would be a viable project and more employment opportunities could be created for the welfare of people here, Collector G. Prakash said.
He was speaking in the presence of G.J. Rao, Chairman, Tuticorin Port Trust, and A. Subbiah, Deputy Chairman, at a gathering which was convened to seek public opinion on the establishment of outer harbour.
The expansion of the port in Tuticorin was a significant step forward and planned towards significant growth in trade, he said. Development works including construction for breakwater, dredging and reclamation, berths, jetties, containers, port craft, buildings, internal service roads and pavements, new rail line, power supply and other mechanical handling equipment would be made.
Delivering the key features of the project, Mr. Prakash sought opinions from port users, fishermen, bodies of trade unions, Port Trust members and the public.
No livelihood risk
The cost of the project might even go up to Rs. 8,000 crore during the next phase. The livelihood of the fishermen would not be affected at any cost, Mr. Rao added.
According to a study carried out by National Institute of Oceanography, impact assessment was made with data on current pattern of waves, tides, water quality and marine sedimentation.
J.K. Patterson Edward, Director, Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, said assessment was made on marine environment following the data gathered on flora and fauna including the ecologically sensitive habitat, he added.
N. Periyasami, Trust Member, said that more job opportunities would be generated once the project was made operational. Johnson, secretary, Country Boat Owners' Association, said that 70 per cent of fishing community was depending on prawn catch which was found abundant in that area and proposed project would affect their catch.
Raja Sankaralingam, secretary general, All India Chamber of Commerce and Industries, said that development of the port would help the exporters. Mr. Subbiah said TPT would emerge as a fisherman friendly port.
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