Efforts were under way to start shipping services from V.O. Chidambaranar Port here to Kollam for transporting cashew, timber, fly ash and other cargoes, said VOC Port Trust Chairman S. Anantha Chandra Bose here on Monday.
In his speech after unfurling the Tricolour during the Republic Day programme on Port School ground, he said the Kollam cargo service had been planned under ‘Sagar Mala,’ a Central government project aimed at port-led growth of Indian economy. He observed that the biggest challenge faced by the country was infrastructure development.
Mr. Bose took salute from Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and port fire service personnel, and port school NCC cadets. While acknowledging the dedicated services, support and cooperation extended by the employees, officers, trade unions and stakeholders in the port’s growth, he sought their continued support to fulfil the port’s vision of becoming a pioneer in providing a quality and efficient cargo-handling facility in South India. He distributed awards to officers and staff of various departments of port, the CISF and sportspersons. Port school children presented a cultural programme.
The Republic Day was celebrated on the DCW premises at Sahupuram.
