New Greenfield Port Construction in Tamil Nadu Planned

The Tamil Nadu Maritime Board has announced plans for the construction of a new port in Cuddalore, with an initial investment ranging from ₹1,500 to ₹2,000 crore. This greenfield port will be situated near the existing port in the area and marks the state’s second port project, following the establishment of the Kattupalli port over a decade ago.

The proposed Cuddalore port is expected to have an initial capacity of 13.5 million tonnes of cargo annually, with future plans to expand to 40 million tonnes. It will cater to both coastal maritime and international freight transportation needs, addressing the growing demand for port facilities in the region.

Previous attempts to modernize the old Cuddalore port had faced setbacks, leading to the decision to develop a new port nearby. The upcoming port will cover an area of 1,200 hectares, with construction expected to commence following the publication of tenders within the next two months.

The development of the Cuddalore port will involve the construction of 10 berths in the initial phase, with the potential for expansion to 25 berths stretching over a 3.6 km seafront promenade. An additional investment of ₹2,000 crore is anticipated for this expansion, with the port project set to follow a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

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