Chairman and MD, Kamarajar Port Ltd, A Baskarachar handing over a dividend cheque worth Rs 64 Crores to Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in Chennai. Also seen on the occasion is P Radhakrishnan, Minister of State, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
Gadkari has sought the cooperation of the Tamil Nadu government to develop more ports and road infrastructure in the State.
“Land encroachment and land acquisition are an issue. Give me the proposals and I will clear them,” he said at a meeting organised by the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He also noted that the Colachel port in Kanyakumari district had a huge potential for growth. “If the Tamil Nadu government gives permission, we will invest [in it].”
Mr. Gadkari said there should be more competition among Tamil Nadu ports. “The more the competition, the more the benefit,” he said.
Earlier, he laid the foundation for the Adani Ennore Container Terminal Project at the Kamarajar Port. He also visited berths and viewed development activities of the port and interacted with port users.
The proposed container terminal would have a 1.40-million TEUS capacity, and its cost is Rs. 1,270 crore.
Commenting on the Sethusamudram project, he said his government would study various alternatives before taking up the work.
