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NT Bureau
Chennai, Jan 25:
 

Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T R Baalu launching the automated port helpline in Chennai yesterday.

        In a major initiative that is first of its kind in India, the Chennai port trust has launched an automated port helpline at the valedictory function of the 125th year celebrations of the Port trust here yesterday.

        The port help line was launched by Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T R Baalu. In the first stage, the completely automated system would operate through out the year on a 24-hour basis providing information on ships berthed at the port of Chennai, ships waiting for berth at the port, available facilities and the scale of rates.

        The important features, which make it customer friendly is that it provides information like the name of the vessel, berth location, preferred berth location, type of cargo, expected time of arrival, expected time of departure, storage facilities available, material handling equipment, oil terminal information, iron ore handling equipment, other product handling information.

        Callers also have a feed back option, through which they can register feedback and which would be examined by the authorities. It also offers facilities like simultaneous and operatorless call handling, information availability in multiple languages and supports automated outbound calling sms and fax integration. Currently the service is available to callers in English, and it will be extended to Hindi and Tail shortly.

        To avail themselves of the information callers can call the helpline from any landline or mobile phone from any part of the world to (044) 25833435 or 25368718. Soon the helpline would have other features like daily weather reports, alerts on inclement weather prediction and cyclone, grievance management, action taken information on feedback and grievance, berth booking for specialized cargo and automated alerts through sms, email, outbound calling on tenders and announcements and due dates.

        Speaking at the function, Baalu said soon a five-digit number helpline would be introduced for information on various details on board. Referring to the development and the activities under him in the shipping, road transport and highways, he gave credit to all the people and said it is a joint effort and the credit should go to the people who are working tirelessly behind the scene.

        Talking about the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project and other major initiatives, he said the Sethusamudram project would be finished by 2008. The minister said the portion of work carried out in Palk strait would be completed six months ahead of schedule.

        With regard to the project at Ennore and Tuticorn, he said his ministry has proposed a project worth Rs 6500 crore and and an investment of 7200 crores at both ports respectively. The project is expected to be completed by 2012, he added.

        Speaking of the increasing trade activities in the automation section and other sectors, he said that around 14 projects had started. He said a 50-crore project for multi-level car parking and a second container terminal at the cost of 1500 crore has commenced.

        He also pointed that the cargo movement was heading towards 50 million tonnes from 36 million tonnes a few years ago. Baalu said, that in view of the good response for the exhibition, conducted for creating awareness among the public about development activities, the exhibition would be organised annually from next year.

        Earlier during the function Baalu handed over six tri-scooters to physically challenged people. Union Minister of state for Law and Justice K Venkatapathy, vice chairman of state planning commission M Naganathan, Tamilnadu congress committee president M Krishnasamy, Chennai port trust chairman K Suresh, PMK president G K Mani and MP Kader Moohideen also spoke.