Enayam port to spur revenue, generate 1,500 new jobs

The port is expected to bring savings to the tune of Rs. 1,500 crore for the Exim segment. The Centre had recently accorded in-principle approval for construction of a major port at Enayam at the cost of Rs. 27,570 crore. It would be constructed in three phases and will house 10 container terminals. Enayam Port was selected after exhaustive study carried out in Kanniyakumari, Manavankurichi, Enayam and Colachel. 

The shoreline between Enayam and Colachel —around 6km — was investigated by National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Anna University, and the team zeroed in on Enayam. The breakwaters of the port will act as a safe barrier to contain sea erosion protecting the shoreline villages close to Enayam. Further, the port project would be executed in a way that the coastal villages are not affected. 

S Natarajan, Officer on Special Duty, Enayam Port, said that its proximity to the mainline shipping route with just one to two hours of travel and availability of natural draft of more than 16 metres makes it the best bet for trans-shipment business. Development of the port with deep drafted container terminals matches with global cargo handling efficiencies and would facilitate direct shipment of Indian containers to overseas destinations avoiding trans-shipment through Colombo, Kelang and Singapore ports and would save considerable cost. 

The Indian port industry loses out up to Rs. 1,500 crore of revenue each year on trans-shipment which would be saved entirely once the port is built. “Both Vizhinjam port in Kerala and Enayam are necessary and we, in the union shipping ministry support both,” Union Minister of State for Shipping Pon Radhakarishnan told DTNext. Referring to the reported move by Kerala MPs to meet the PM to apprise him of the negative fall-out of allowing construction of two ports within 30km of each other, he said Enayam port was envisaged only after a proper survey.