NMPT to set up rooftop solar power plant.

New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) is planning to make use of solar power for its daily operation in the coming months.

Speaking at the Republic Day celebrations recently, PC Parida, Chairman, NMPT, said that work is in progress for setting up a 350-kw rooftop solar power plant at the port.

This will help meet the power requirement of administrative building, hospital building and guest house of NMPT and also the street light in its premises.

Further, the port is planning to commission a 5-MW solar power plant by November.

This will meet the power requirement of the berths at the port.

Highlighting other projects of the port, Parida said the fire-fighting facilities at the port are being upgraded to handle VLGC (very large gas carrier) vessels. This shall be operational by September.

NMPT is also planning to set up LNG terminal. This will help provide clean fuel at cost-effective rates to citizens, he said.

To encourage agro products, the port has already commissioned two warehouses. One more warehouse is under construction.

On cargo handling, Parida said NMPT has taken many steps to increase container cargo traffic. The development of a container terminal is planned in this regard.

NMPT has given all the facilities to encourage coastal movement of cargo. It is the first Indian port to start the Ro-Ro (roll-on roll-off) service for trucks from New Mangalore to Hazira port, he said.

HBL