India's major port throughout up 8% in April-August 2008

Twelve major ports of the country have handled 221 mn tonnes during April-August 2008 as against 204 mn tonnes handled in the corresponding period of last year. It represents an increase of 8.37%.

However, all ports except Kandla, Ennore and Visakhapatnam, have missed the target set by the ministry by 5.39%. Kochi and Mumbai have shown negative growth during the period compared with the same period last year.

Kandla has handled 31.93 mn metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo during April to August 2008, as against 25.87 MMT handled during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

It is the highest throughput achieved among Indian Major Ports and this has helped the port to hold on to its No 1 position among the Major Ports in India.

As of now, a port communication said, the overall growth rate recorded by the Kandla Port during the current fiscal is pitched at 23.40%, as against the national growth rate of 8.37%.