NMPT records 15 pc rise in traffic
New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) handled 79.98 lakh tonne traffic in the first half of the current financial year 1999-2000 against 69.51 lakh tonne during the corresponding period last year, registering a growth rate of 15.06 per cent over last year and 15.31 per cent over the target fixed by the ministry.

Tourist transporters for stalling imposition of service tax
Tourist transporters have sought steps to stall the imposition of service tax of five per cent on tour operators and some transporters from April next year. The transporters, who participated in the recent tourism ministers' conference in New Delhi, said if the service tax, which has been kept in abeyance so far, was not withdrawn, then it would become applicable on tour operators and `rent-a-car scheme' operators from April 1 next.

BHPV bags Rs 34-crore order
Bharat Heavy Plate and Vessels Limited (BHPV) has bagged a Rs 34-crore order from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Mumbai, for construction of mounded LPG/propylene storage facilities on a turnkey basis, at its Mahul refinery. According to a press release issued by BHPV on Tuesday the storage facilities were to be constructed as per requirements of the British standard 5500 and static and mobile pressure vessel rules, under the inspection of third party and chief controller of explosive, apart from the constraints inherent in operation refinery.

Indo-French centre for groundwater research
An Indo-French Centre for Ground Water Research was set up at the National Geophysical Research Institute complex in Hyderabad on Tuesday to serve as a joint platform for research and training in water science and technology. Speaking after inaugurating the centre, the director of research of the French ministry of science and technology Vincent Courtillot said it was the first step towards strengthening scientific collaboration between the two countries.