Logistics operators engaged in handling container traffic at the Chennai port, who have been suffering for long because of delay in the Ennore-Chennai road project, can now heave a sigh of relief. In a bid to speed up the long pending project, the Ministry of Shipping (MoS) will hold talks with officials of the Chennai Port Trust, Ennore Port Trust, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), stakeholders and the Tamil Nadu government on January 18, 2009 in An important decision In this context, Dilip Parik, managing director of Aviation Logistics, a mid-sized logistics firm in Chennai says, “It is welcome news that the Shipping Ministry has decided to address issues related to the project. The Ennore-Chennai road project is an important project as it would relieve logistics firms from the congestion faced at Chennai port. We hope that the intervention by the Ministry would solve all the major bottlenecks related to the project and thereby expedite its progress.” The project was initially conceptualised in 1998, with an estimated budget of Rs 160 crore. However, the project cost has gone up to Rs 600 crore because of the long delay. Captain Subhash Kumar, chairman of the Chennai Port Trust, said that inflation coupled with delay in land acquisition were major factors behind the cost rise of the project. Mr Kumar added that the MoS will discuss the cost factor and land acquisition for the project is now proceeding at a fast pace. “The Chennai port is witnessing an increase in the number of containers being unloaded by ships calling at the port. The road project will ensure timely delivery of our consignments to the customers,” says D Ramanathan, director of Sunlight Logistics Private Limited, a mid-sized logistics firm in Chennai. It is to be noted that Chennai port is the second largest container port in the country, next only to Arup Choudhury |
