Movement of cargo by rail at the Chennai port has declined by nearly 20 per cent in the last five years due to increased containerisation of cargo that moves mainly by road, said Atulya Mishra, Chairman, Chennai Port Trust.

Five years ago, 33 per cent of the cargo handled at the port was moved through the railways. Today, it is nearly 13 per cent. “It is a pity that we have come to such a stage,” he said at a session on ‘Business Opportunities with Southern Railways’ organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

The Indian Railways plans to put up the third and fourth rail lines that will pass through the port. This will help the port increase its cargo traffic through rail to nearly 30 per cent. “We are looking at Indian Railways as a major partner going forward,” he said.

Ashok K Agarwal, General Manager, Southern Railway, said the debate on the transport sector in India has not focussed adequately on the rail sector despite its many economic and environmental advantages. It is high time the Railways’ role as a major infrastructure service provider is reinforced.

The Plan Budget represents a quantum leap to ₹1 lakh crore in 2015-16 from ₹65,798 crore in 2014-15. While support from the Centre will be 41.6 per cent of the budget and internal generation at 17.8 per cent this year, the remaining 40.6 per cent is envisaged through public-private-partnership, joint ventures with State governments and global public sector undertakings, loans from bilateral and multilateral banks and foreign direct investment.

Related Topics