Cargo traffic at 12 major ports up 3%

India's top 12 major ports saw an increase in cargo traffic by 3.18% to 447.05 million tonnes (mt) during the first nine months of the current fiscal.

These ports operated by the central government had handled 433.26 mt of cargo during April-December period of the previous fiscal, 2014-15.

According to the latest data, Kandla Port handled the maximum 73.87 mt of cargo during the period, which was up 4.26% against 70.85 mt during April-December 2014.

Paradip Port handled 55.13 mt, the second highest cargo traffic during the April-December period of the current fiscal.

The port had handled 52.39 mt during the same period a year ago.

JNPT at Mumbai handled 48.23 mt while Mumbai port handled 46.39 mt of cargo during April-December.

Vishakhapatnam handled 42.24 mt, Chennai 37.41 mt, Kolkata 37.30 mt, New Mangalore 25.29 mt, VO Chidambaranar 27.80 mt, Kamarajar (Ennore) 22.96 mt, Cochin 16.49 mt and Mormugao 13.89 mt during the April-December period.

In growth terms, Mormugao port registered the highest growth of 35.31% during the period followed by VO Chidambaranar port with 19.30% growth.

There are 12 major ports under the control of the Centre besides 187 minor/intermediate ports under the jurisdiction of states along the 7,517 km long coastline of the country.

The 12 major ports - Kindle, Mumbai, JNPT, Marmugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore, VO Chidambarnar, Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) handle approximately 61% of the country's total cargo traffic.