V.O. Chidambaranar Port is all set for a four-fold increase in the capacity of its coal jetties from 6.25 MTPA to 24 MTPA.
The V.O. Chidambaranar Port formerly Tuticorin port is one of the 12 major ports in India. The port is provided with two coal jetties-I and II which were commissioned in 1983 and 1995 respectively.
The Port Trust has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Ltd (TANGEDCO) for the upgradation of Coal Jetties-I and II.
The Port Trust will initially upgrade Coal jetty-I in about 24 months by constructing a new Coal Jetty-I of 300m X 25m along with repair of the existing Coal Jetty-I. TANGEDCO would incur the initial cost of INR 308 Crores.
The new coal jetty-I with the estimated capacity of 12 Million Tonnes per annum (MTPA) will cater the coal requirements of TANGEDCO’s thermal power plants- Tuticorin thermal power station and the upcoming 2×800 MW Uppur thermal power project.
Tuticorin thermal power project with an installed capacity of 1050 MW (5×210 MW) requires about 6.3 MnT coal a year. The new coal jetty-I will be utilised by TANGEDCO for its captive use.
The Coal jetty-I will be provided with two shore unloaders each with a minimum capacity of 2000 MT/hour and a conveyor system from coal jetty-I to Hare Island and Tuticorin power plant with a capacity of 4000 MT/hour.
The total estimated cost for upgrading Coal Jetties will be around INR 800 Crore. As per the MOU, initially Coal Jetty-I will be upgraded within two years; Coal Jetty-II will be upgraded thereafter.
Significance of the MOU:
1. Upgradation will give a competitive edge to VOC Port and will help it maintain its lead position in coal handling.
2.The enhancement of handling capacity and upgradations of infrastructure will result in a reduction of logistics costs. TANGEDCO will, therefore, be able to utilise the services of the Port in a more cost-effective way.
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