Latest news with #ChennaiPortAuthority
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Construction of four EXIM godowns under way at port
To attract new cargo and enhance the storage of sensitive cargo, the construction of four new EXIM (Export-Import) godowns is under way at Chennai Port. The work is expected to be completed early next year. The godowns, being built at an estimated cost of ₹73.91 crore, is crucial for the port to retain the existing cargo as well as to accommodate more clean and sensitive goods such as agricultural products, and food grains, including rice, sugar, pulses, maize, and wheat. The norms of trade demand that these commodities should not be contaminated, and that they have to be kept separately in a clean area. According to officials of Chennai Port Authority, since coal and iron ore are no longer handled, apart from agricultural products there has been an increased focus on cargo such as steel coil, silica sand, magnesite, fertiliser and barytes. There is also a greater demand for covered areas for handling cargo items, and exporters and handling agents have been requesting for the same. 'These four godowns sprawl over an area of 18,000 sq.m. (size of each godown is 4,500 sq.m), and the capacity of covered warehouse of the port will increase to 85,000 sq.m. when the project is completed. 'We will be equipped to handle 2-2.5 MTPA (million tonnes per annum) of cargo after this expansion work is over,' an official said. This could prevent the diversion of cargo to other ports, and fetch additional revenue in terms of vessel and cargo-related charges, officials said. The funding of the project comes from the Sagarmala scheme of the Centre since the government has been keen on augmenting trade capacity in major ports of the country, including the Chennai Port. It could also help significantly reduce traffic congestion inside and outside the port.
New Indian Express
08-05-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Two simulated air strikes part of civil defence drill in Tamil Nadu
CHENNAI: Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following air strikes on terror camps across the border, civil defence drills were conducted at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam and the Chennai Port on Wednesday. The Chennai Port Authority held a large-scale mock drill simulating an air raid on critical port infrastructure. The hour-long exercise, conducted from 4 pm to 5 pm under the supervision of the Ministry of Home Affairs, was part of a nationwide initiative to assess readiness for aerial threats. The drill involved two simulated air strikes on key port zones and saw the participation of nearly 500 personnel from the Indian Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, NDRF, police and port stakeholders. It was one of the most comprehensive peacetime emergency drills held at a major Indian port. At the sound of the air raid siren, the port's Integrated Command and Control Centre activated emergency protocols. The Coast Guard deployed two vessels to secure the seaward perimeter, while state and central disaster response teams mobilised onshore. One of the scenarios simulated damage to a tank farm storing hazardous materials. Fire and rescue teams responded with mock containment efforts, evacuation drills, search for missing personnel and treatment of simulated casualties. Ambulances transported the injured to Chennai Port Hospital as part of the emergency response protocol.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Time of India
Harbour for heritage: Chennai Port gets into restoration mode
Passengers of cruise liners and history buffs keen on taking a nostalgic dive into the city's maritime heritage have something lined up for them at the Chennai Port. Adjacent to the cruise terminal is a heritage building, which will soon serve as a repository for vintage photographs and colonial-era documents associated with the erstwhile Madras Port and the adjoining neighbourhood. Located near Dr Ambedkar Dock in the west quay, a century old structure called the 'Hydraulic Power House', which is more commonly identified as the Stone Building is getting a thorough facelift, with port authorities renovating and transforming it into a museum. The initiative is part of on-campus heritage conservation activities that the third-oldest port in the Indian subcontinent is engaging in. The idea is to showcase Chennai's seafaring history with a view to promote tourism. It is the first heritage structure that would be restored in the port premises, which is home to British era buildings and monuments such as old Harbour Police Station, a commemorative plaque laid by the Prince of Wales on the commencement of the Madras Harbour Works in 1875 and the more than 100-years-old Stocked Anchor. The then Madras Port commenced commercial operations in 1881 with breakwaters having an eastern entrance. Interestingly, the port was equipped with its first dock and this heritage stone building was developed in the same year of 1920. Spread over a plinth area of 5,974 sq ft, it is the oldest structure in the port campus. A facility significantly utilised in port's operations in the past, it is being used as an EB substation in the present scenario. It is a splendid living example of the Madras Terrace roof building. However, the exteriors are overrun with vegetation, while plastering in the interior wall has peeled off, and the doors and windows damaged due to passage of time. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Krasnoyarskiy Kray - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo Against this backdrop, the Chennai Port Authority has awarded the restoration of Stone Building to Tamil Nadu government's PWD Building Centre and Conservation Division (BCCD). The structure would be restored at a cost of more than 5 crore. The restoration works are likely to commence in June (this year) and completed over the next six months. "Once it is restored, we intend to convert it into a museum. Cruise passengers and other visitors will be taken into this museum, where old photographs and old documents of Chennai Port will be exhibited," Chennai Port Authority chairperson Sunil Paliwal told TOI. Pointing out that few artefacts have also been recovered, he said, "A wall clock dating back to 1920's has been restored and put in use." Sepia tinted photos, a heritage clock, and a miniature model of the port have been displayed in the renovated lobby of the port's centenary building. According to port officials, they were planning to link the cruise terminal and Stone Building to facilitate the direct entry of tourists. The Chennai Port recorded the visit of 19 cruise vessels in the financial year 2024-25, which ferried 40,031 passengers. There are also plans to renovate other structures such as the old Harbour police station and Dufferin Tower that housed lighting systems to guide the entry for vessels into the port. Former PWD engineer-in-chief K P Sathyamurthy, who was instrumental in renovating more than 70 heritage structures of the state government in the past nearly one decade said, it is for the first time that PWD will be restoring a heritage building that falls under the Centre's purview. "The 'Stone Building' will be renovated with the traditional technology that was adopted to restore similar structures across Tamil Nadu. In fact, PWD department officials of Bihar, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab and Telangana governments are showing an interest to explore our techniques to renovate heritage structures in their respective states," he added.
