Chennai: As part of the initiative to develop the string of ports under the Sagarmala project, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 57.5 crore for improving the infrastructure at the Cuddalore port.
The Union shipping ministry has identified the Cuddalore Port as dedicated minor port in Tamil Nadu for providing monetary incentives, and to encourage coastal transport for cargo.
Numerous works including establishing breakwaters, cargo handling equipment and dredging would be taken up soon. “The Centre has sanctioned its share of Rs 57.5 crore and the remaining 50 per cent of the project cost would be borne by the state government,” Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan has informed. It has been planned to complete the work in two years.
The minister exuded the hope that the state government would expedite all the port and highways related projects. On the development of the trans shipment hub at Enayam near Colachel in Kanyakumari district, he said the Narendra Modi-led BJP government was prepared to extend all assistance to establish the hub. “I hope the state government would do its part in accelerating the work,” he added.
BJP launches membership drive: Meanwhile, the state unit of the BJP has launched a membership drive and initiated measures to form committees at booth level ahead of the local bodies elections. The party leadership which has already announced its preparedness to face the civic bodies elections, has asked its cadres to ensure new members are brought at booth level.
Party’s state president Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan who attended a meeting to gear up the party workers for the local bodies poll, said her party would highlight people’s problems during the elections. Visiting a ration shop she said, nothing except rice was being distributed to the family ration cardholders through the PDS outlets.
