Plan to move cargo through sea between Chennai and Ennore

CHENNAI: In a first of its kind initiative in the country, the Shipping Ministry plans to introduce a new project for moving cargo through sea between Chennai and Ennore Ports to reduce congestion on road and rail transport, Shipping Minister G K Vasan said today.

Vasan was speaking after releasing a feasibility report on "logistics collaboration between Ennore and Chennai Ports", prepared by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

He said the Ministry would study the report and a committee would be formed to examine and implement it.

"The basic works will be started. We feel this project should come at the earliest.... Earlier the better. So in the next financial year (2013-14), we will try to bid it out and try to implement the project", he said, adding, it would reduce transportation cost and improve the economy.

Shipping Sectrary, Pradeep Kumar Sinha said a committee comprising the Joint Secretary, top officials of Chennai Port Trust and Ennore Port to oversee how the project can be implemented expeditiously would be set up.

Based on the success of this project, it would be extended to other ports, he said.