Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MS)
Mangaluru, Oct 26: Central Port Authority has proposed plans to upgrade prestigious New Mangalore Port, which has the distinction of handling the largest amount of LPG in India.
According to Union minister for ports, Nitin Gadkari, blueprint for the development of 12 ports across the country including New Mangalore Port is finalized at a cost of Rs.90000 crores.
Upgrading work of New Mangalore Port has already begun with the joint participation of government and private institutions. Berth 15 is made ready with all the latest equipments by UPCL. Berth 18 is being built for general public coal handling. In addition, mechanization work of container handling is being undertaken at berth 14.
New Mangalore Port is the first port which has cement dispatch centre. It also handles iron ore and petroleum products on a big scale. Foreign tourists are being brought to Mangaluru by cruise vessels. Area surrounding Mangaluru port has rich source of minerals like iron and manganese, wealth of forest resource, Iron and steel company of Bhadravathi, coffee and cashew estates, sugar, paper, Mangaluru tiles and fertilizer producing plants.
New Mangalore port is accredited of having a depth of 14 metres in the western coast. It also has connection with southern, southwest and Konkan railway zones and three national highways. In addition, it is connected to Mangaluru International Airport also.
In 2013-14, this port exported a record of 39.36 million tonnes of petroleum products, granite, food and pulses, iron ore and container cargo.