Cuddalore port in TN gets ₹135-cr expansion

The Union government has approved ₹135 crore expansion of the Cuddalore port which got the environment and CRZ clearances. The plan is to enhance the Cargo handling capacity with the construction of two additional berths with required modifications in the existing breakwaters. An expert appraisal committee of the Union ministry of environment and forests granted clearance, subject to conditions, including independent monitoring by the government/institute to evaluate the impact during dredging. Impact of dredged material on the coastal environment along with shore-line changes should be studied by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board and necessary mitigation measures are to be taken in case any adverse impact is observed. The details shall be submitted along with the six-monthly monitoring report and no underwater blasting is permitted. The existing port has become defunct and needs to be dredged to make the existing wharf operational for multi-cargo handling for 5.68 million tons per annum, including coal, fertilizer, cement and containers and clean cargo. The plan is to support and sustain the industrial growth in Cuddalore and adjoining districts, especially the serving mines and thermal power stations in Neyveli, besides the proposed thermal power plants in the coastal stretch and industrial development in the Union Territory of Puducherry.