Mansukh Mandaviya launches 1st Phase of Rail Connectivity from VOC Port Marshalling Yard to Hare Island

TUTICORIN : V.O.Chidambaranar Port has its own railway system with yard facilities for loading, unloading, reception and despatch activities. It is also connected to the main line at Milavittan on Tuticorin – Madurai section of Southern Railway. The existing siding from Milavittan to wharf including Marshalling yard is being maintained by Southern Railway. 

 

There are a number of proposals for construction of new Thermal Power Plants and other industries in the vicinity of VOC Port Trust.

Based on various studies, it is forecast that the traffic of the Port will increase, especially in dry bulk cargo, in a big way. It is expected that by the year 2025, an additional traffic to a tune of  20 MTPA will be adding to the present level of traffic.

 

NEED OF THE PROJECT

The existing infrastructure facilities for handing Dry Bulk Cargo and space availability is not sufficient to handle the anticipated additional traffic. Hence it has become necessary to develop the Hare Island for transport of dry bulk cargo by providing necessary Rail connectivity facilities and mechanized loading arrangements for quick evacuation of cargo and meeting the future requirements of port.

Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of State for Shipping (Independent Charge) flagged off the inaugural train on 23 August 2019 in the presence of VOC Port officials.

 

The work was executed through Indian Port Rail & Ropeway Corporation Limited,  a Government of India Enterprise under Ministry of Shipping.  The phase –I of Project has been completed. The facility created will accommodate loading of two BOXN Rakes simultaneously and has a capacity to load 10 to 12 BOXN Rakes of coal per day.