KOCHI: Governor P. Sathasivam on Friday inaugurated the 90th anniversary celebrations of Cochin Port Day at Willingdon Island. He said that gas and natural resources belong to the public but unfortunately foreign companies and corporates are taking benefits from them. He also said that coastal pollution is one of the serious problems being faced across the globe. Chairman in charge of Cochin Port Trust A.V. Ramana who presided over the function said that Cochin Port was one of the profit making ports in India and it has made a net profit of Rs 13.55 crore. “We are going to start e- facilities for cargo and will focus on the future of the port,” he added.
Awards were given to the employees for their performance in their respective fields. A.A. Abdul Azeez, president Cochin Customs Brokers Association, Prakash Iyer, president of Cochin Steamer Agent Association, P. Nageswara Rao, Chief Commissioner Central Tax, Excise and Customs, were present at the function. Hundreds of people visited ‘MV Lagoons,’ passenger ship and the Coast Guard ship which were thrown open to the public.
‘Cochin Port Day’ is celebrated in commemoration of the entry of first ship into Cochin Harbour. The construction of the inner harbour from the year 1921 is deemed as the transformation of Cochin as a modern and safe Port. The first ship-SS Padma entered the inner harbour through the widened and deepened Cochin Gut on 26th May 1928. In 1936 it was declared as a major port.
