Posted on March 21, 2017
Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy today said that the new MoU signed with Chennai Port to develop Puducherry Port as a satellite port is a boon to the union territory.Addressing a press conference here today, Mr Narayanasamy said, “the project is expected to bring in revenue to the tune of Rs 300 to 400-crore. It will generate employment and will help truckers. Pondy Port will handle 4-lakh-metric-ton of cargo in the first year which will go up to 10-lakh-metric-ton in the succeeding years. Chennai Port and Pondy will share revenues equally.”
“While Puducherry will bear the cost of dredging in the first year of operations, Chennai Port will take up the responsibility from second year. Chief Minister said that he had requested Union Shipping Minister to provide assistance to the Union Territory for dredging operations. Chennai Port will help in developing infrastructure in Puducherry port,” added Mr Narayanasamy.Mr Narayanasamy also clarified that the full Budget for the fiscal 2017-18 will be presented in the Territorial Assembly in April that will begin with Lt Governor’s address.
Puducherry Assembly is meeting on 30 and 31st of this month to pass Vote on Account. The fate of UT’s demands for additional funds will be known in a few days, Chief Minister said. The UT has demanded 1250-crore additional funds for non-planned expenditure. Chief Minister said he is hopeful of getting at least half the amount.
He said that Air services from Puducherry will restart soon adding that Spice Jet is to start service in Puducherry, Tirupathi, Hyderabad sector. Air Odisha has shown interest in Chennai, Puducherry, Salem, Bangalore route. The UT is also probing the possibilities of starting air services to major cities in South India, he said.
Source: webindia123
