Trans-shipment port to come up in Great Nicobar

Port Blair, Oct 3: The Centre would soon to set up a trans-shipment port in the Great Nicobar Island, the southernmost part of Indian territory as part of the post-tsunami port infrastructure building exercise.

''It is likely to come up at South Bay, an arc where Galathea River discharges into the Galathea Bay, '' Mr K Shekar, Chief Engineer of the Andaman Lakshadweep Harbour Works (ALHW), told reporters here today.

The ALHW head in Andamans, however, refused to comment on the total cost of the project.

''The ALHW has received the Expression of Intent and ten firms have been shortlisted. Once it is finalised, the selected firm will conduct a techno-economic feasibility study, which is estimated to take one year, '' Mr Shekar added.

The Galathea Bay area gets a natural protection from giant waves of the Andaman Sea due to its geographical location, which makes this place suitable for constructing a giant port.

In most of 80s, the idea of developing Great Nicobar as an international trans-shipment post was dropped due to some unknown reasons but now the dream was being materialised.

The Indian Coast Guard has also pulled up its socks to plan its strategy to tackle new challenges after the construction of such port in the Great Nicobar, which might trigger piracy in Indian water and pose danger to the national security.

''If the trans-shipment port comes up in Great Nicobar, it would come with threats like piracy and marine pollution, which we are ready to counter, '' Commander of Coast Guard Region of Andaman and Nicobar Inspector General S P Sharma said.

He said, '' Piracy exists in nearby Malacca Strait, which is one of the world's busiest sea-lane. '' Strategically located in the east-west international sea trade corridor with a natural draught of 18 mt, the island was capable of receiving the world's largest cargo vessels, the Coast Guard Chief said.

''India could become a hub and draw a chunk of the international cargo business, '' he added.

Nearly 56 jetties and wharfs were in the islands and ravaged by tsunami with losses mounting more than Rs 450 crore, according to official figures.

Great Nicobar, the southernmost island of Andaman and Nicobar chain, has a total area of 1045 sq km inhabited by Nicobari Tribals as well as some ex-servicemen settlers.

UNI