KPL aims big, plans to increase handling capacity to 100 MT by 2020

Source:http://www.portwings.in/articlesinterviews/kpl-aims-big-plans-to-increase-handling-capacity-to-100-mt-by-2020/

Port Wings News Network:

With the existing as well as proposed expansion projects lined up in the port, we are hopeful to reach 100 Million Tonnes  (MTPA)capacity by 2020, Mr M A Bhaskarachar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Kamarajar Port Limited, the erstwhile Ennore Port, has said.

In an exclusive interview to Port Wings, Mr Bhaskarachar said, “Our existing capacity is 30 MT and projects for adding another 39 MT have already been awarded. In the next five years, we have planned to award another 32 MT capacity addition projects. So, all put together, KPL would be a 100 MTPA facility by 2020.”

It’s worth recalled here that KPL received two prestigious awards -- “PSE Excellence Award 2014 for Operational Performance” and “Company of the Year” from the Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India and Indian Chamber of Commerce recently.

Excerpts…

Q: Tell us about your mission 100 MTPA?

M A Bhaskarachar: “We have existing facilities like Coal Terminal for TNEB (12 MT), Common User Marine Liquid Terminal (3 MT), Common User Coal Terminal (8 MT), Common User Iron Ore Terminal (6 MT) and Automobile Export Terminal with one MT.  Besides the 30 MT existing capacity, we have awarded capacity adding projects like development of Container Terminal (16.8 MT), multi-cargo terminal (2 MT), construction of coal berth-3 for TNEB (9 MT) upgradation of coal berth-2 (4 MT), development of LNG Terminal (5 MT) and enhancement of common user coal terminal-1 (2 MT). Furthermore, in the next five years, we have planned to award another 32 MT capacity adding projects like development of common user MTL-2, construction of coal berth-4 for TNEB, development of second automobile export terminal, captive berth for bulk cargo and upgradation of conversion of Iron Ore terminal. So, the capacity of the port will be upgraded to 100 Million Tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the end of 2020.

Q. Tell us about the status of Northern Rail Link (NRL)?

MAB: With the increasing rail traffic of Kamarajar Port and also in order to have an alternate rail route from the main line to KPL, apart from existing rail connectivity, we have evinced interest in providing Northern Rail Link. The proposed NRL takes off from the northern side of Minjur Station (in the Chennai-Gudur Railway mainline) and enters into KPL. A “Y” connection is proposed both at Minjur take off and at the Port entry/exit side.  The dtailed feasibility report has been approved by the Railways. The total length of the proposed NRL is about 12 kms. Preparation of DPR is completed.

Q. Tell us about the status of road connectivity projects?

MAB: A road link known as Northern Port Access Road was initially planned to link KPL to NH-5 at Tachur by NHAI for providing seamless evacuation of cargo from Kamarajar Port. Now the project has been undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Government and the first phase of the project linking KPL to the Outer Ring Road (ORR) is being undertaken by the state. Alignment of the road has been finalized. State govt. is going to issue notification for land acquisition shortly. Regular follow-up of the project is being done by KPL with the state government. As far as the four-laning of TPP Road is concerned, the work was completed.