From Daijiworld's special correspondent

Panaji, May 27: The minor port here has registered a 30 per cent growth in its cargo movement during the last financial year, officials stated.

As much as "11.3 million metric tonnes of cargo was exported last year including iron ore, manganese ore, bauxite and choovakattireeds as against 7.9 million metric tones of cargo exported in 2004-05", the Captain of ports, A P Mascarenhas, said.

Located along Panaji city, this state government-run port extends from tidal ridges of Mandovi river to the Arabian sea.

On the import front too, the port indicated growth.

"3.33 million metric tonnes of coking coal was imported last year as against 2.51 million metric tonnes a year before that. The coking coal is the only commodity imported by the Panaji port'', Mr Mascarenhas stated.

The Panaji port has also decided to take up dredging of mouth of rivers Mandovi, Chapora and Betul which will help the ships movement carrying ore, Capt Mascarenhas said.