Shipping Minister G K Vasan today inaugurated new facilities at the V O Chidambaranar Port, Tuticorin which includes a state-of-art vessel traffic management system.
"The vessel traffic management system installed at a cost of Rs 8.77 crore incorporates state-of-art equipments like radar and UHF MODEM with latest software design for detection, tracking and analysis of all vessels in the harbour waters and beyond port limit with coverage of 48 nautical mines. This facility will enhance security of the port," an official statement said here.
Besides, a modern green gate complex has been constructed at the cost of Rs 11.02 crore with four entry points and four exit points for congestion-free movement of cargo and container vehicles, it said.
Sophisticated radiological detectors, speed camera, swipe card system etc are also installed in the complex, it added.
The Occupational Health Centre (OHC) established in the port hospital is aimed at preventing and managing occupational, environmental illness, injury and disability of workers.
The facility shall benefit more than 800 workers, the statement said.
A pact was also signed by representatives of Chidambaranar Port Trust and Transtroy - OJSC consortium, Hyderabad for development of North Cargo Berth-III at an estimated cost of Rs 420 crore for handling thermal coal and rock phosphate.
"This facility upon completion shall increase the capacity of the port by another 9.15 million tonnes (MT) per annum," the statement said.
It is also proposed to dredge and deepen the area in front of the berth at an estimated cost of about Rs 448 crore to cater 12.8 metres draught vessels which is part of the Rs 1,747 crore Inner Harbour dredging project.
The present capacity of Chidambaranar Port Trust at 33.34 MT is envisaged to increase to 85 MT upon completion of the project.
Vasan earlier had released the detailed project report of the ambitious outer harbour project. This part would augment the port capacity by another 328 MT.
Upon completion of both the Inner Harbour development project currently underway and the proposed Outer Harbour Project, the capacity of V O Chidambaranar Port will increase to 413 MT.
