Tuticorin, Oct 9 (UNI) The Tuticorin Port Administration has chalked out elaborate plans to develop the port at an estimated cost of Rs 6,380 crore during the eleventh plan period.

According to official sources here today, the proposal was to develop Inner and Outer harbour to enable the port to handle the projected cargo traffic of 78.10 million tonnes during 2011-12.

About Rs 4,000 crore would be earmarked for the development of the Outer harbour. The project included the construction of 3,100 metre north breakwater and south and east breakwaters of 4,220 metre.

The construction of two containers and three multi-cargo berths with 1,500 metre quay length would be commenced during next fiscal.

The sources said, Cargo berth-nine would be set up at a cost of Rs 40 crore, as part of the Inner harbour development, besides the construction of north cargo berth-one and two.

Channel and basin inside the harbour would be deepened to facilitate berthing of 12.8 metre Draught Vessels. The Berth-eight would be converted into a container terminal.

A Ship Building Yard was also planned with a Building Dock, Pre-erection Yard, Hull Fabrication Section and Galvanising Unit facilities, they added.

UNI