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Gangavaram and Kakinada ports in Andhra Pradesh have registered an average growth of 35 per cent in cargo handling.
Though Gangavaram and Kakinada ports are being operated by private companies, the state government has some equity holding in them.
During the first quarter of this fiscal, Gangavaram port handled 4.2 million tonne cargo as against 3 million tonne in the corresponding period last fiscal, posting a growth of 40 per cent.
Of this, more than 85 per cent was coal, while the remaining were limestone, timber, fertilisers and other items, said port officials. Last fiscal, the port handled 13.09 million tonne cargo, and expects over 15 million tonne this fiscal.
Kakinada deepwater port registered a 30 per cent growth in cargo handling during the first quarter at 3.5 million tonne. In 2012-13, the port handled 12.07 million tonnes of cargo and is set to touch the 14-million tonne mark this year, according to Kakinada port sources.
"Our planned coal-mechanisation project would be ready by August-end. With this, the port's coal handling capacity would be enhanced to 8 million tonne a year. So, this year we're expecting a hike in coal handling," they said.
