Ennore Port projects get environment clearance

Chennai: Projects worth Rs 1,850 crore at the Ennore port have got environment clearance, and will be taken up soon, according to Mr K. Suresh, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust, who is also in-charge of Ennore Port Ltd.

The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had recently cleared all the projects to be taken up in the second phase of the port's expansion, he told Business Line.

The country's first corporatised port has two berths handling coal for the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board.

Following the environment clearance, projects for creating infrastructure to handle coal, iron ore and marine liquid cargo would be taken up soon by various private operators on build, operate and transfer basis.

On its part, Ennore port would take up dredging of 15 metres in Phase I alongside the berths of the new terminals and further dredging to suit Capesize vessels — that can transit via Cape Horn (South America) or the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) — for iron ore traffic.

Mr Suresh said these projects have been pending for over two years, and would now be taken up soon.

On capital dredging a global tender would be issued.

On the Rs 2,700 crore LNG terminal to be developed by Indian Oil Corporation, Mr Suresh said there has been no progress after a first round presentation made by the company.

Ennore port has given its in-principle approval, and it is up to IOC to come up with an action plan, he said.