Chennai: Inaugurating a unified command and control centre of Visakhapatnam Port Trust at a function in Chennai on Friday, the Union shipping minister G.K. Vasan highlighted the significance of such facilities that help in monitoring and controlling the operations of ports from a single location.
Appreciating Vizag port, which is the first port to have full-fledged ERP system, he said similar facilities should be set up by other ports also. “Vizag port has embraced information technology in an innovative way by conceiving this first-of-its- kind command centre.
This cross functional and collaborative environment would enable monitoring of port operations such as navigation, cargo handling, railway operations, security, environment management, commercial transactions, communication and so on in one place,” he added.
Earlier, the shipping minister dedicated the fully mechanised coal terminal operated by Adani Vizag Coal Terminal that was developed at a cost of Rs 323.18 crore.
The facility is expected to cater to the requirements of power sector. The concession agreement for development of mechanised facility for handling iron ore was also signed between Vizag port and Vadinar Oil Terminal on Friday. The project is expected to provide a solution to environmental hazards posed by non-mechanised iron ore handling.
Later speaking to reporters, Vasan reiterated the need to protect Tamil Nadu fishermen and hoped that the proposed talks between the fishermen associations and the Sri Lankan representatives later this month would be fruitful.
On the farmers’ fear in delta districts over the laying of GAIL pipelines through their lands, the minister said that awareness should be given to remove their fear before taking any steps on that project.
