Ennore Port to set up SEZ in TN

Chennai, Jul 9 (UNI) The Ennore Port Ltd (EPL) has proposed to set up a 2,500 acre Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in joint venture with TIDCO and SIPCOT, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu today announced.

Addressing a press conference here after inaugurating EPL's corporate office, Mr Baalu said the EPL had already initiated a study on the proposal and aproached the Tamil Nadu Government for in- principle approval and waiver of Sales Tax for enterprises in the zone.

The SEZ proposal would be taken up with the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, Finance Minister and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in due course.

The fishing harbour at Kasimedu in Royapuram would be renovated at a cost of Rs 25 crore and include an exclusive jetty, auction hall and extension of breakwater to fulfil the fishermen's demand and the promise made during the elections.

A new harbour with separate berthing facility would be constructed at a cost of Rs 100 crore at the present site in Kasimedu for trawlers and mechanised boats.

To a question, he said access to fish landing centre from the Nagapattinam Port will become easy after the completion of the Rs 1.5 crore dredging work being carried out with small vessels.

Big dredgers could not used as the sea bed in that part of Nagapattinam Coast was just 1.5 metre deep as against the required minimum of 4.5 metre depth for such machines to enter.

Mr Baalu said the Asian Development Bank has drafted a Rs 12 crore scheme for the development of Nagapattinam Port involving deepening of basin and channels.

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