Mangaluru, July 31: Nava Mangaluru Port Trust (NMPT) president MT Krishna Babu said that after paying Rs 124.81 crore tax, the port has recorded a net profit of Rs 190.55 crore during 2017-18 financial year.

Speaking to reporters here on Tuesday, Krishna Babu said that during 2017-18, the port had handled 42.06 million metric tons goods, which is 5.28 per cent more compared to 2016-17.

First place in cleanliness

The NMPT has got the first place among 13 ports in the country under the swachh Bharat campaign for cleanliness. From the solar power generation units adopted in the NMPT, total 840 kv power was being generated due to which, more than 95 per cent of the total power demand of the port was being supplied from solar energy. This project was considered under the Swachh Bharat campaign, he said.

During 2017-18, total 24,258 people have visited through 22 ships and in 2016-17, total 30,246 had visited through 28 ships. Compared to this year, last year had more visitors and ships. The NMPT has handled 23.719 lakh tons iron ore, 23.999 lakh tons processed iron ore, 41.717 lakh tone coal, 17.434 lakh tons through containers and 22.09 lakh ton LPG. Compared to last year, this year the quantity of coal being supplied from Udupi Power Plant and crude oil to MRPL has come down. Comprehensively, progress was achieved in goods transport, he said.

Sand from Malaysia

As per the decision to import sand from Malaysia in order to curb sand mining in the district, total 1.50 lakh ton sand was imported from Malaysia during 2017-18, he said.

Two mechanized berths to be completed in 2019

The construction of two mechanized berths would be completed in 2019. Currently, the berth number 16 was being developed in private-public partnership, he said.

Steps to cut down expenses

The NMPT has taken steps to cut down the goods transportation and port expenses. With the cutting of additional payment to workers other than their salaries, the burden on the customers of the port would come down. Steps would be taken to give only salary to the workers of the port, he said.

Project for connecting road, railway line

A project report was prepared to develop a connecting road and a railway line to transport the goods inside the port. Under this programme, existing facilities would be upgraded. In 2017-18, the NMPT has spent Rs 2,60,66,000 for CSR funds to invest for community and public works, Krishna Babu said.



Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Deir al-Balah, Nov 1: Israeli airstrikes on Friday killed at least 24 people in northeastern Lebanon, the country's news agency said, raising the death toll from eight there.

It was the latest deadly toll in the area since the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah escalated last month.

Israel's military has said that its operation in Lebanon is targeting Hezbollah's military infrastructure.

Lebanon's state National news Agency reported four airstrikes in different villages across country's northeast, saying rescuers were still searching for survivors in Younine, a town in the Bekaa Valley, from the rubble of a targeted house.

Hussein Haj Hassan, a Lebanese lawmaker representing the region in Baalbek-Hermel region, said that 60,000 people have already fled their homes in the area due to Israeli bombardment.