New Delhi , June 25 (ANI): Union Minister of Shipping, Road, Transport and Highways, Thiru. T.R. Baalu revealed here on Wednesday at a review meeting of performance and development projects of Chennai Port Trust that the turnover of Chennai Port has increased from Rs. 413.51 crore to Rs.890.40 crore, a record 115.3 per cent increase in 2007-08 over 2003-04.

The increased turnover has enabled the Port to take up larger number of capacity augmentation projects.

The Minister also reviewed the progress of the proposed mega terminal at Chennai with a draft of 22 Meters which is coming up with an investment of Rs. 3105 crores to handle ultra large container ships of 18,000 TEU at the Port.

Baalu was informed that the project has generated considerable interest among the prospective bidders and nearly 40 private players have participated in the pre-bid meeting.

Regarding construction of a Dry Port (Container Freight Station) at Sriperumbudur, the Minister directed the officials to get in touch with the State Government for allotment of 100 acres of land and also get the feasibility study done for construction of elevated corridor from Maduravoyal to proposed dry port in order to have a seamless movement of cargo.

This is one of the three Container Freight Stations planned by Chennai Port Trust.

The forthcoming plans of Chennai Port include RoRo Terminal and multi-level car parking for export of cars from the Port and developing a cruise terminal in Chennai for domestic and international tourists.

Baalu also directed that the Second Container Terminal with a capacity of 1.3 million TEUs, which is under construction with an investment of Rs.495 crore must be completed within this year itself.

With the operationalisation of this Container Terminal, Chennai Port s position as hub port for containers on the east coast would be further strengthened. (ANI)