L&T’s port-cum-shipyard in Tamil Nadu may commence any time

L&T’s port-cum-shipyard in Tamil Nadu may commence any timeThe Tamil Nadu government's latest instructions to L&T to employ some more people from the local community at its Rs 4,000-crore port-cum-shipyard at Kattupalli in North Chennai have brightened prospects of the project's commencement.

While company officials declined to comment, an industry source said, "The State Government's statement is a positive indication of the commencement of the project any time."

The port-cum-shipyard is ready for more than six months, but it is waiting for the green signal from the State govt.'s formal inauguration.

The govt. is under intense pressure to ensure more jobs for local people at the company as the local people have been alleging that the project will affect their livelihood.

Initially, L&T had given jobs to 220 fishermen, and had also agreed to give jobs to another 850 people during the former Government's rule. However, the company failed to complete that promise.

When J. Jayalalithaa took charge as the chief minister of the state in February last year, L&T offered jobs to another 131 people and later agreed to give jobs to another 120 people. The company also established a training institute to train fishermen so that they could be later employed at the company.

The project, which offers a port and ship-building facilities mainly for Defence purposes, is spread across 1,200-acres, just adjacent to Ennore port.