Chennai Port Authority chairman and CMD of Kamarajar Port Limited (KPL) Sunil Paliwal has said the 20.5km Chennai port-Maduravoyal elevated express corridor, expected to be ready by December 2024, will transform Chennai port into a hub for industries in Tamil Nadu, south Andhra Pradesh and eastern Karnataka.
In an interview to TOI, he also spoke about handling competition from Adani ports at Kattupalli and Krishnapatnam. When asked how will the Chennai port-Maduravoyal elevated express corridor help, he said, “Chennai Port and KPL already cater to the southern parts of Andhra Pradesh such as Sri City SEZ, and industries in and around Bengaluru, in addition to Hosur and Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu. If I don’t remove congestion, the container traffic will go to Kattupalli, Karaikal or Krishnapattinam. Cargo from Trichy, which is coming to Chennai, may prefer Karaikal or Tuticorin. The elevated express corridor will cut travel time by seven to eight hours and revive the fortunes and extend the lifespan of the 141-year-old Chennai port. The Chennai Port will be a hub for south Andhra Pradesh, eastern Karnataka and northern Tamil Nadu, serving industries in a radius of 350 km.”
To a question on handling competition from Adani ports at Kattupalli and Krishnapatnam, he said, “there are multiple strategies for overcoming competition. We are improving road and rail connectivity for both the ports. Chennai port has heavy demand for covered space, because it handles silica, grain, pulses, and we have started improving the facility. We are getting future ready at KPL by laying a four-lane concrete road and doubling rail connectivity.”
