Project to link minor ports in Kerala for cargo movement in the works

The Kerala Maritime Board is preparing a project to boost cargo movement in the State by linking minor ports, its chairman N.S. Pillai has said.

He was speaking at an interaction organised by the Malabar Chamber of Commerce here on Tuesday. Mr. Pillai said that preliminary discussions related to the project had been held with Bharat Freight Group of companies. The board would soon hold talks with traders in Kozhikode and Kannur. Thereafter, a preliminary project report would be submitted to the State government on transporting containers through ships from Kochi to Beypore, Azheekal and Kollam ports.

If the government approves the project, Bharat Freight Group of Companies would implement it. Mr. Pillai pointed out that the activities related to the project was launched two months ago. It would help the commercial sector and the people alike, he added. Officials in the Beypore Port and functionaries of Malabar Chamber of Commerce, among others, were present.

Minister for Ports V.N. Vasavan had told the Assembly in June that berths and cranes required for cargo transportation had been set up at the Kollam, Beypore, and Azhikkal ports.