The Hindu Business Line : `We want to develop many facilities under Sagar Mala' — Mr G. J. Rao, Chairman In-charge, New Mangalore Port Trust

Mr G. J. Rao, who has been Chairman in-charge of the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) since November last year, assumed the office of the Deputy Chairman in January 2002. In an interview with Business Line recently, Mr Rao discussed various issues facing the port.

Excerpts from the interview:

Have you idenfitied schemes to be taken up under the Sagar Mala project?

The New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) would like to develop various facilities with private participation under the Sagar Mala project.

We want to develop mechanical handling facilities for iron ore and coal traffic. ONGC is keen to have an LNG terminal at the port.

Nagarjuna Power Corporation Ltd is seeking a dedicated berth for its coal traffic. We are also examining how to create dry docking, ship-repairing and bunkering facilities with private participation.

Except the proposals for the LNG terminal and the dedicated coal cargo berth, others are at the levels of feasibility studies.

What about the cruise terminal?

We have both short-term and long-term plans for a cruise terminal. Under the short-term plan, one of the sheds at the port is to be converted into a cruise lounge at a cost of nearly Rs 1 crore. The work, to be taken up by the port, is to be completed in about 18 months.

Under the long-term plan, we will have built on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis a terminal of international standards with private participation.

Do you have plans for a special economic zone (SEZ)?

We will welcome an SEZ with private participation in the Baikampady Industrial Area. The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has shown interest in this regard.

Is the port working to its capacity?

The port has the capacity to handle 29.5 million tonnes of cargo. In this fiscal, till February, we handled 23.56 million tonnes of cargo, surpassing the target set by the Shipping Ministry.

We hope to end the year with a throughput of 25 million tonnes. Till February the rate of growth of traffic was 21.51 per cent.

What steps have you taken to market New Mangalore port?

The business development cell of the NMPT visits hinterland to explain the facilities we offer. We have held meetings with chambers of commerce and industry in Mysore, Bangalore and Hubli. Recently, a delegation from the Greater Mysore Chamber of Commerce and Industry visited the port.

What about improving connectivity to the port?

Under the National Highway Development Project, there is a plan to convert the road from Pumpwell Circle in Mangalore to Surathkal into a four-lane highway at a cost of Rs 195 crore. We are investing Rs 20 crore in this project. The four-laning of the roads from Surathkal to Udupi and from Pumpwell Circle to Kasaragod in Kerala too is being consideraed. The early completion of the gauge conversion work between Mangalore and Bangalore will boost our hinterland traffic.

Aren't you capitalising on the present boom in iron ore exports?

Iron ore is a new cargo for the port, yet we handled one million tonnes of iron ore fines till February, and hope to handle another five lakh tonnes or so. We are extending all the facilities for handling iron ore fines, and the exporters have no complaints.

Do you face any competition from the neighbouring ports?

The external demand for iron ore having skyrocketed, almost every port is handling the mineral, even medium-size ports suc as Karwar and Belekeri in Karnataka.

Any other achievement...

The NMPT has been accredited with the International Ship and Port facility Security (ISPS) code.

We are first among the major Indian ports to get this certificate. The office of the Mercantile Marine Department, set up recently in the port, will monitor if the relevant regulations relating to the safety of life at sea, marine pollution and other issues are being complied with by the ships in Indian waters.

Substandard vessels calling at the port will be under the scrutiny of this deparment. The Ministry of Agriculture too has decided to open a Plant Quarantine Office in our premises.