Under the PM Gati Shakti, the new Mangalore Port Authority has rolled out three projects.
“The three projects – Mechanization of Berth No 14 for handling container and other cargos in DBFOT basis with JSW worth Rs 695 crore (Rs 281 crore), Construction of new Berth No 17 for handling bulk and dry bulk cargos (Rs 217 crore), and Construction of Fishing harbor at Kulai near Mangaluru (Rs 197 crore) would be undertaken.”
AV Ramana, Chairman, NMPA
Due to the semi-mechanized handling of containers, there was a need for the augmentation of the port capacity in handling containers. Mechanized handling of containers at berth no 14 will fulfill this need and give a boost to the business environment of the hinterland of Karnataka.
NMPA has signed an agreement with JSW Infrastructure Limited to develop and operate a container terminal on the PPP model, which will generate a considerable number of direct and indirect employment. The project will generate employment for about 2,000 people.
As NMPA is mechanizing its only deep draft berth No 14 for handling containers port is required to have a deep draft berth to handle the dry and breakbulk cargoes arriving through large ships of 60000 dwt and above. As it is necessary to build sufficient infrastructure so that the trade can be facilitated the Port proposed to construct a new berth no 17 for multi-purpose cargo handling.
As per the DPR, berth number 17 is expected to handle 131 vessels for different types of bulk cargo and generate a total tonnage of 4.73 MTPA.
The third project under PM Gati Shakti is the construction of the fishing harbor at Kulai.
Expected to increase the fish and crustacean supplies to domestic and foreign markets, the port project will employ 2,720 sea-going fishermen and 1,280 persons in shore-based establishments and allied industries.
It will decongest the over-crowded old fishing harbor at Mangaluru and further will offer a safe sanctuary for fishing boats, especially during the monsoon and rough sea conditions.
