Ennore Port is making efforts to develop allied infrastructure like road, rail connectivity in order to boost cargo handling at the port.

As part of this effort, the port authority proposed a railway line connecting Ennore Port with Minjur in the first phase and then Minjur to Vandalur in the second phase. The Tamil Nadu government wanted to add passenger line as well. The total project outlay will be around Rs 700 crore, reports indicate.

Meanwhile, the ongoing 62 kilometer (km) outer ring road project being undertaken by the Tamil Nadu Road Development Company would enhance road connectivity to the port.

In another development, the port is holding preliminary discussion with the Pondicherry government to expand the port there.

MA Bhaskarachar, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the port informed that the authority plans to get 700 acre near the port so as to allow port related industries to set their operations.

General Manager R Senthil Kumar added, the port if developed will not be competing with the private Karaikal Port as the freight will be different.

The company is awaiting the final endorsement from the Union commerce ministry for allocation of 700 acre of salt pans for development of an industrial park for port related industries, he said.