An expert appraisal committee has given environment and coastal regulation zone (CRZ) clearances to the government controlled V O Chidambaranar Port Trust (VOCPT) to expand its capacity entailing an investment of Rs 5,720 crore. The expansion of the inner harbour of VOCPT – one of the biggest undertaken at a major port – includes deepening the harbour basin and approach channel to handle ships with a draft of 15.2 metres, widening the port’s entrance, and building six new berths besides upgrading the existing ones. VOCPT currently runs six general cargo berths, two container terminals, two coal jetties, one oil jetty, two North cargo berths and one shallow draft berth with a capacity to handle 46.78 million tonnes (mt) of cargo.