VASCO
Speaking along the sidelines of a function to inaugurate the Tourist Taxi Counter at the Cruise Liner berth on Wednesday morning, MPT Chairman I Jayakumar stated that public hearings are scheduled on March 20, 24 and 27 for the enhancement of berth, capital dredging and re-development of berth 8 and 9 which was earlier the Mechanical Ore Handling Plant (MOHP).
“These hearings have been convened as we want to take citizens into confidence before carrying out any development works in the port,” said Jayakumar.
“The old MOHP has been brought down and in
its place, three berths will be created, one for Vedanta, one to handle allied cargo
and the third for containers,” he added.
Asked if coal would be handled at the new berths, Jayakumar replied: “Nearly 90% of the coal is transported by rail and balance 10% is through road. Coal handling plants will be directed to handle the coal in a closed infrastructure to avoid pollution. Before the vehicles can leave the coal handling plants, a mechanism will be in place to wash the body and the tyres of the trucks.”
