Latest news with #ChennaiPortAuthority
The Hindu
28-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Two heritage buildings to be restored; plans afoot for maritime museum at Chennai port
Two heritage buildings in Chennai: the time-worn Oriental Research Institute on Kamarajar Salai and a century-old structure belonging to the Chennai Port Authority: are set to be restored. The Public Works Department's Building Centre and Conservation Division, which specialises in heritage conservation, will execute the renovation projects in a few months. The department has invited bids for carrying out the two projects to restore the buildings back to their original shape. The stately red brick building with stone pillars on the facade houses the Oriental Research Institute in the Marina campus of Madras University. Built in 1935 as the University Examination Hall, the two-storey building is now used as offices and departments of classical and vernacular languages. Officials of the PWD noted that 50% of the building, which is a combination of red bricks, stone and reinforced concrete, has suffered damage over the decades. The steel columns covered in brick work have corroded. Citing the Justice Committee report, the officials said spread over 27,881 the structure is modern in composition and has reinforced cement concrete on its roof. The Rs.19 crore work would include replacing cracked stone pillars with eight new stone column pillars and reconstruction of brick and stone masonry walls, said Gnansehar, superintending engineer, BCCD, PWD. The 104-year old Hydraulic Powerhouse structure also called as 'Stone Building' at Chennai Port area is up for renovation after many years. Officials said the pre-independence era structure, which is spread over nearly 5,974 is now being used as an electricity substation. The rectangular building with a provision for chimney too has suffered 50% of damage particularly Madras Terrace roof. The plastering in the interior walls has peeled off and wooden doors and windows have to be replaced. The Chennai Port Authority has entrusted ₹5.25 crore to PWD to execute the restoration project. Once the heritage structure is restored, the Chennai Port Authority plans to establish a maritime museum to boost tourism. Sunil Paliwal, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority, said it was one of the oldest buildings in the Chennai port. There are plans to set up a maritime museum showcasing maritime heritage dating back to Cholas and Pallavas era. This would add to the monuments, including old two-tonne anchor and other attractions like the port signal station, which witnesses a stream of visitors, including students. With the Cordelia cruises planning to extend its operations to entire year instead of current four-month schedule in Chennai port, passengers would also be taken a tour to museum. The PWD will also soon take up restoration of the old Harbour station at a cost of ₹4.9 crore, said.
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Parking Plaza at Chennai Port takes off in full swing
The operations of Parking Plaza at Chennai Port are in full swing and the facility now witnesses nearly 700 vehicles a day. The trailer owners opposed the fee imposed on using the facility and after Chennai Port Authority has done away with levying of fee, many are coming forward to use it, officials said. Aimed at reducing the congestion on the road leading to the Port and to offer parking facilities for empty and loaded trucks or trailers, Chennai Port Authority completed the construction of the plaza early this year. Built over 84,000 at Rs 45 crore, the parking plaza also has canteen, toilets and dormitory for the trailer drivers. While full-fledged operations took off in March, the trailer operators were unhappy with the fees fixed by the authority to use the facility and decided to go on strike. Following this, after a few rounds of negotiations with the trailer operators, the Port Authority decided to do away with collecting the parking fee for the plaza from trailer owners. 'Now it will be collected from the exporter or importer,' said an official. According to officials, they have changed the model of operations and maintenance to make it possible. 'Mainly, the congestion along the road has lessened following the opening of the plaza as the vehicles head to the plaza to park the vehicles. This is also beneficial for the drivers as it saves fuel for them. Instead of stopping multiple times along the way on the approach road which leads to them starting and stopping the vehicles often leading to higher fuel consumption, this arrangement to park at the plaza helps,' an official said. There is a growth of nearly 20 percent in the container traffic, and this is likely to see a sustained uptick in the near future. 'Considering future growth in mind, we have to ensure that there is no congestion,' the official added. The turnaround time for the vehicles too have come down to an extent now and it will decrease further when a few other issues are ironed out, officials said.
The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
T.N. government has been pushing for port automation and sustainability, says Chennai Port Authority Chairman
From green tugs to onshore power supply for vessels, a slew of projects is coming up at Chennai and Kamarajar Ports, Sunil Paliwal, Chairman, Chennai Port Authority, said here on Thursday. While speaking at the sixth edition of the Southern Regional Shipping Conclave, organised by the Southern India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) and the Association of Multimodal Transport Operators of India (AMTOI), he said the State was pushing for port automation and sustainability. He noted how green tugs at the ports would lower carbon emissions substantially. Mr. Paliwal spoke on the adoption of the latest technologies at the ports. 'For the first time in the country, we have attempted to provide onshore power to commercial vessels at Kamarajar Port,' he said. He added that a modern parking plaza had been built to decrease congestion at Chennai Port. 'Also, a multi-modal logistics park, an important project that is part of the National Logistics Policy, is coming up, and its first phase will be implemented in February 2026,' he added. Naveen Prakash, chair, SICCI supply chain management, and director, Global Logistics, said the logistics and shipping landscape was undergoing a significant shift. 'What was once a largely manufacturing sector is now rapidly transforming, powered by automation, artificial intelligence, block chain, internet of things, and real-time data platforms. This convergence of technology is not only improving cross efficiency and delivery accuracy but also fundamentally redefining the way we think about logistics,' he added. Bana Bihari Nayak, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Apex Skill Development Centre for Logistics, said the State government had established the centre to address the critical need of developing human capital for the ever-expanding logistics sector. Over 1.84 lakh individuals have been trained so far through initiatives including the Naan Mudhalvan Scheme, he added.
The Hindu
03-06-2025
- 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.
