Chennai port will have container terminals to handle seven million TEUs a year by 2017, when the proposed 5 million TEU-capacity ?mega terminal? becomes operational. It already has a terminal that can handle over a million TEUs. The port is setting up the second container terminal with a capacity to handle one million TEUs. It will be operational in May 2009.
The Chennai Port has obtained capital investment approval to build a mega terminal at an investment of Rs 3,686 crore.
The terminal being planned north of the Bharathi dock will have a 20-metre draft and will be capable of receiving very large container vessels, TR Baalu, minister for shipping and road transport and highways said. He said the terminal would be a major initiative in achieving the long-term vision of the Chennai port to become a major container hub in the country.
Chairman of Chennai Port Trust K Suresh said the requests for qualification (RQF) would be opened on February 21. The tender process would begin immediately after that to select the build, operate and transfer (BOT) operator.
In order to meet the expected quantum jump in port traffic, the Centre, in collaboration with the state government and Chennai port, is building a 19.012-km elevated expressway from Chennai port to Maduravoyal investing Rs 1,655 crore, the minister said. Of this Rs 310 crore would be for land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement. The project is to be completed in three years.