It is reliably learnt that Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (Tidco) is seeking participation in the construction of the outer harbour project at Tuticorin. Tidco has sounded the Tuticorin Port Trust on this, it is said.

Tidco wants Tuticorin Port Trust to expedite the work of the outer harbour and is willing to extend all possible cooperation as there is already a lot of industrial development taking place in the area.

It may be recalled that Tuticorin Port Trust has initiated plans for construction of the outer harbour with an investment of Rs 2500 crore and is to invite bids for this project soon, according to TPT chairman and managing director M Machendranathan. This project is to be done through private sector participation.

The deepening of the Tuticorin basin and construction of an outer harbour would have the benefit of allowing charter ships carrying coal tooptimise operations. Other beneficiaries would include oil companies and charter liners which do continuous business through the port for petroleum products, fertilisers and other bulk and general cargo including containerised cargo.

Reports indicate that major oil companies like Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum and Bharat Petroleum have assured the government of a minimum traffic of a little over 2 million tonnes in the next three years or so.

According to Machendranathan, bids for dredging of the Tuticorin port have been invited and a 10.75 meter draught is expected to be in place by end of next year. This channel deepening project to facilitate entry of high tonnage vessels could cost as much as Rs 200 crore, it is said.

The port has already awarded a contract to Singapore Port Authority and Sical of the M A Chidambaram group, for construction of seventh berth. The companies will be investing Rs 100 crore for equipment to be operated over next 30 years.

Tuticorin port is also looking tobuild an eighth berth on a privatised basis and is also scouting for joint venture partners, it is learnt.