The Centre’s in-principle approval for the Colachel (Enayam) port in Kanniyakumari district has re-kindled hopes of industrialisation of the region, which has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in recent times.
Besides augmenting the country’s cargo handling capacity, Enayam, a major transshipment port, would attract new industries to the region and give a leg up to the special economic zones in Nanguneri and Gangaikondan in Tirunelveli district. Exporters, especially from Tirupur, Erode and Sivakasi, can set up their units closer to the port.
“Enayam is a prestigious project that will capitalise on the anticipated spurt in cargo movement by sea across the world. Sri Lanka, which has its major transshipment port in Colombo, is in the process of enhancing its container handling capacity through two new ports,” says Pon. Radhakrishnan, Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways.
10% growth seen
At present, 60 per cent of Colombo’s transshipment volumes is from India and 60 per cent of this is from Tamil Nadu. Colombo port accounts for one-fourth of India’s total transshipment. “Transshipment of goods is expected to grow by 10 per cent in South East Asia in the next 15-20 years. Hence, we need both Enayam and Vizhinjam in Kerala,” contends Mr. Radhakrishnan, adding that both will play a complementary role rather than being competitors. In fact, the capacity of two ports may not be enough to meet the demand.
It is estimated that 80 per cent of gateway transfer for the Enayam port, which is located closer to the prime East-West trade route, will come from Tamil Nadu. The area around Enayam, stretching from Kurumbanai to Thengapattinam, has been chosen for the new port taking into consideration low impact on property due to low population; ease of construction and expansion; road and rail connectivity; and lower environmental and social impact.
Enayam has a natural draught of 20 metres and is closer to National Highway 47. Officials are confident of the success of Enayam port as Tamil Nadu has more mandays than Kerala and there will not be any need for containers to wait at inter-State check-posts. It will be an ideal transshipment hub between the west and east coasts and will augment the revenue of Thoothukudi, Chennai and Ennore ports. The proposed port has already earned the support of the State government. In a letter, it has assured that the “Government of Tamil Nadu will provide necessary facilitation, cooperation and support for implementation of Colachel port (Enayam) in Kanniyakumari district by Government of India as a major transshipment port.”
