The projects included construction of cargo berth No 7 and 8, dredging venture, shallow draught berth, captive power project and mini refinery by private firms, captive oil/hazardous cargo terminal and dry dock-cum-ship repair facility, according to a top TPT official.

TPT is looking at additional revenues from the proposed mini refinery which is likely to come up adjacent to the port by private entrepreneurs. The official said a few companies have evinced interest in putting up a mini refinery at Tuticorin. ``Discussions regarding traffic potential, ship sizes and probable location for the jetty are currently on with such companies,'' he added.

Theproposed move would enhance the cargo movements from the port and hence the bottom lines of the company. If found feasible, TPT would approach the Union government for in-principle approval, he added.

TPT is also planning to form a joint venture to equip and operate its cargo berth no 8. The construction of berth No 8 in continuation of berth No 7 is at an expected outlay of Rs 46 crore. ``We have already invited global tenders and more than 10 companies have approached us for participating the project,'' he added.

The official said the berth would be set up by the port trust and the equipment and machinery costing Rs 90 crore would be supplied by the joint venture partner.

In May 1998, TPT had completed its cargo berth No 7 at a cost of Rs 34.88 crore. To equip and operate the berth, it had entered into an alliance with PSA Corporation Ltd of Singapore on BOT basis for a period of 30 years. The berth is expected to be commissioned as a full fledged container terminal by the end of current year.

Hesaid the port would implement its Tuticorin port dredging project with a total investment of Rs 202.16 crore would be funded by OECF of Japan. The project, which aims for dredging the approach channel and harbour basin to the depths of 12.5 metre and 11.9 metre respectively to handle ships upto 10.7 metre draught, is to be completed by the end of 1999.

The official said Spic Electric Power Corporation of Chennai was planning to set up a 525 mw thermal power station within the port area and construct a coal jetty within the harbour basin and provide ancillary facilities like conveyor system. Spic is proposing to import Australian coal to the tune of 1.6 million tonne per annum and the facility along with plant is expected to be operational in the year 2002.

``Many oil companies have also approached us for putting up a terminal for handling POL products and hazardous liquid cargoes. Subject to the Union government approval, the Rs 180 crore project would be offered as a captive facility to these oilfirms,'' he added. Tuticorin Port Trust, which had posted a revenue of Rs 82 crore during the fiscal 1998-99, is also planning to run a slew of promotional trains from Tuticorin to Bangalore in a bid to enhance its business from the garden city.