Develop Poovar into a maritime hub: TRAC

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Trivandrum Residents Apex Council (TRAC) has urged the State Government to take urgent steps to develop Poovar in the district as a premier maritime hub. International companies have eagerly been waiting for the project for the last two decades as the site is ideal for a shipyard and port, said TRAC general secretary K T Roy. The spot is ideal for an international maritime logistical confluence comprising of a dry dock capable of handling mega vessels, ancillary port, a Ship Designing Centre, and a maritime academy for training professionals, Roy said.  Poovar has been recommended by the Mumbai Port Trust as the most ideal place for a world-class shipbuilding yard. It is also beneficial to Tamil Nadu too as Poovar shares its boundary. TRAC has listed out the  advantages of developing Poovar as an international maritime hub. ‘’There will be only minimum deviations for the main route liners which no other port can claim and the international sea route which connects the Persian Gulf and Far East passes close to Poovar.   Poovar offers enough draught required for mega container carriers and mother vessels for anchoring and repairs,’’ TRAC leaders said.  The hard soil condition of Poovar coast is ideal to construct a  harbour which can bear heavy structures and loads. The cost of construction will be also less when compared to the other sites where the soil conditions and other basic parameters are yet to be verified. It is cost-effective to transport through the rail or road services and can sail to west and east coast as it is central to the coastline of India. The proposed port has location advantage with proximity to rail, road network and airport and availability of human resources from Koodankulam Nuclear Power Station which is just 65 km away. It can offer abundant water supply of both treated and untreated water as the Neyyar river is discharging to the sea at Poovar river.  The Cochin Shipyard Ltd, in collaboration with Department of Ports, had implemented the first Bollard Pulling facility and is about to launch it in Poovar as the water and soil conditions are ideal for such facilities. Dubai, South Korea, China and many other countries are implementing maritime hubs and India must not lag behind in the development of Poovar, Roy said.