Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MM/GKP)
Pics: Sphoorti Ullal

Mangalore, Apr 11: New Mangalore Port has handled a record traffic of 36.02 million tonnes during the fiscal year 2007-08 as against 32.04 million tonnes during previous fiscal year, registering a growth of 12.41% and 4.89% over and above the target fixed by the ministry, said P Tamilvanan, chairman of New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT).

Speaking to press persons here on Thursday, April 10, he said that movement of coal, lime stone,  iron ore pellets, and railway traffic has been increased in the last year to a considerable extent. This has contributed to the growth rate of the traffic in the port, he added.

Emphasis has been given to increase the railway line inside and outside the port during last fiscal year. 1.2 km long railway line and platform has been constructed inside the port area to facilitate efficient handling, which has led to 104% growth in the railway traffic in the last fiscal year, he added.

The income from the port has crossed more than Rs 300 crore for the financial year 2007-08. Meanwhile, expenditures stood up to Rs 187 crore and the net surplus reached  Rs 115 crore. Handling of petroleum oil has contributed major portion of the income from the port, Tamilvanan said

Port Community System:

NMPT will be linked under Port Community Systems (PCS) under the initiation of ministry of shipping. This PCS will link all major ports in India and all the other stake holders of the port . This will also save time spent on trading and thus help in cost reduction. The first phase of PCS work has already been finished and the second phase work is under progress, Tamilvanan said.

NMPT will be joining hands with Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) to develop port-based SEZ. Meanwhile, the port has planned to increase its capacity to 22.5 million tonnes more during 2011-12, Tamilvannan added.

Bhaskarachar, deputy chairman of NMPT was also present on the occasion.