The
Bulk Terminal of the Port was designed to handle dry bulk
traffic of 3.50 Million Tonnes per annum. However, cargo
actually handled never reached the projected level. On
the other hand, the container traffic has been growing
with a rate of more than 25%. It is likely that, by the
year 2005-06, the traffic may go up to 2.4 - 2.7 Million
TEUs. Dry bulk traffic has been dwindling year after year.
To cater to the ever-increasing container traffic, the
Port has decided to redevelop its Bulk Terminal as Container
Terminal on BOT basis. When the `Expression of Interest’
was called for, 16 parties showed interest in the project
for re-development. Estimated cost of the project is Rs.
8500 - 9000 millions. Capacity addition through this project
is about 1.3 Million TEUs per annum. The project is likely
to be taken up in 2003-04 and expected to complete by
2005-06.
