Shipping Ministry asked to merge Chennai, Kamarajar ports.

The Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) has asked the Shipping Ministry to merge the Kamarajar Port at Ennore with it or bring it under ChPT's control.

This is to offset the loss of cargo to Kamarajar port and avoid unhealthy competition between the two ports. ChPT, which is a stake holder in Kamarajar port, has also urged the Ministry to continue the business incentive for the diversion of cargo, as Kamarajar Port has not absorbed the surplus labour according to the directions of the Madras High Court.

These issues were taken up at the last board meeting while discussing the financial performance of ChPT for the current fiscal, said a port trust source who did not want to be identified.

HBL