Centre looks at TN govt to develop Colachel port

Government making all efforts to free the five fishermen sentenced to death in Sri Lanka, says Minister Pon Radhakrishnan

Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping, Pon Radhakrishnan, said the Centre would work with the Tamil Nadu government in the development of Colachel port, located near Kanyakumari, into a major port.

Speaking to a regional news channel, Radhakrishnan said the present state government had earlier showed its intent to develop the port, and also referred to the statements of Union minister Nitin Gadkari supporting its expansion.

Gadkari during his visit to Chennai last week said the port had a great potential to grow into a major one.

“We are giving a proposal to the state government as the minor ports are under the purview of the state government and we could develop it if the state government gives permission,” Gadkari had stated earlier.

On the death sentence given to five Indian fishermen by the court in Sri Lanka, Radhakrishnan said the Centre was taking all steps, including legal means, appointment of advocates, to secure the release of these fishermen who were sentenced to death on alleged smuggling case. Before these, he said, the Centre was considering bringing the accused back to India temporarily.