India seeks to operate KKS Port for 30 years: Official

India which offered over US $ 62 million grant assistance  for the development of the Kankesanthurai Port has sought to operate it  for 30 years under an agreement, an official said.  

Initially, the Indian government intended to grant a loan  for the execution of the northern port project. However, India has now  shifted its focus to grant projects in Sri Lanka because of the current state of the economy.  

Recently, Sri Lanka cleared the proposal for the development port under grant assistance from India.  

Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Aviation  K.D. S. Ruwanchandra told Daily Mirror that an Indian constructor would  execute the project according to the initial proposals. Asked about the commercial operation of the port once built, he said India had sought to operate it for 30 years.  

“No finality has been reached yet,” he said.  

Situated in the northern province of the country, the Port  of Kankesanthurai, commonly referred to as the KKS Port, covers an area  of approximately 16 acres. The port is located at a distance of 56  nautical miles from Karaikal Port, Pondicherry, India. When it comes to  overland travel, the distance between the port and the nearest land is  approximately 23 kilometres.  

The KKS Port, with a rich and lengthy history, began its  operations as a commercial port coinciding with the establishment of the  Cement Factory in Kankesanthurai in 1950, according to the Sri Lanka  Ports Authority.  

Both India and China compete for strategic investments in  Sri Lanka, China has already secured control of the Hambantota Port  on a 99-year lease.