Chennai Mega Terminal, estimated to cost Rs 3,105 crore, will be the first deepwater terminal of its kind in the country. The centre has given the "in principle" approval for the terminal. "The proposed terminal with a rated capacity of 5 million TEUs per annum is likely to reach operational status by 2012-2013," a port spokesperson said. The infrastructure of the terminal will be developed north of existing Bharathi Dock with two new breakwaters at a total length 4 km and continuous quay length with 18 m alongside depth. The total basin area will be 300 hectares with a back up area 100 hectares. The terminal once complete can handle ultra large container ships of capacity over 15,000 TEUs and length 400 m. The project proposed to be developed on BOT basis with cost of dredging, reclamation and navigational aids to be borne by Chennai Port. The breakwater extension from existing outer arm can be used to develop deep draft oil berth for handling VLCCs in future.
The dedicated elevated express way from Chennai to Maduravoyal on NH-4, 18.3-km long stretch, to be built at a cost of Rs 1,468 crore will connect Chennai port-NH-Bangalore and the industrial hub of Sriperumbudur. The project work is likely to complete in mid-2011.
The second container terminal at EQ and SQ III, estimated to cost Rs 495 crore, will have a backup area of 35 hectares (including 7.8 hectares to be reclaimed by ChPT) with a capacity of 1 million TEUs per annum. The license has been awarded to PSA-Sical consortium. The operator has to construct 830 m long berth with 15.5 m alongside depth. The revenue share offered 45.801 per cent and a 30-year license agreement has been signed in March last year. The project will become operational from April 2009.
The stage-I work for realigning rail and road network (estimated to cost Rs 40 crore) inside the harbour as part of the modernisation of the port is in progress. The contract to award for mechanised conveyor system (estimated to cost Rs 43 crore) is in progress. Rites Ltd has been awarded the contract to prepare the railway master plan for the port. The Rs 200-crore port modernisation is expected to complete by 2009-2010.
Moreover, Chennai Port Trust has decided to deepen the channels, basins and berths at an estimated cost of Rs 143 crore, by 2011-12.