Rs 10 crore needed to restore Chennai port

The Chennai Port Trust (CPT) has estimated that the total cost of damages at the port, restoration of its infrastructure and loss due to non-operations amounts to Rs 25 crore.

The damage caused by the tsunami strike to the port's facilities is estimated to be around Rs 10 crore, the loss due to non-operations and operating below capacity is Rs 5 crore and Rs 10 crore is needed to restore the port back to ship-shape.

"Besides the loss suffered by the port, loss to ships and containers will be estimated separated by the insurance companies. Cargo movement is on the lower side and we are operating at 90 per cent capacity," said K Suresh, chairman of CPT.

Initially, it was thought that there were only three ships damaged "� ABG Keshav, Canadian Express and Gem of Tuticorin, but it has been later found that a coast guard vessel has also been damaged in Sunday's tsunami fury. The damage to the CPT includes cranes, wharf, moorings and some parts of the main channel entry.

"Besides, the restoration of the port we need to do some dredging exercise as the tsunami left a lot of sand and muck in its wake. We also need to conduct hydro-geological and eco-sounding surveys to assess the total damage done," added Suresh.

Cargo movement has been affected due to tsunami-affected families occupying the road leading to Gate 1. The CPT is therefore diverting all entry of cargo through Gate 10 and outgoing traffic through the previously unused Gate 2.

"Last night, we moved about 350 containers out including Hyundai cars, as traffic is restricted during the day. We are currently handling close to 600 containers a day," Suresh said.

In addition, all operations came to a standstill at the CPT between 12 pm and 2 pm today following the declaration of high alert against a possible tsunami strike along the coastal areas by the central government. Operations resumed in full swing at 1 pm as normalcy prevailed.