New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has begun the work on the construction of two additional storage sheds in the port premises.

A press release by NMPT said here on Tuesday that the work on the construction of two additional storage sheds near the berths has been taken up at a cost of Rs 9 crore.

With a built-up area of 7000 sq metres, these sheds could store up to 22,000 tonnes of bulk cargoes such as maize, wheat and fertiliser. The sheds will be ready by August 2014, it said.

These sheds will provide more covered space inside the port premises. The release said the increase in the handling of foodgrains such as maize and wheat has resulted in the demand for more covered area inside the port premises.

P. Tamilvanan, Chairman of NMPT, laid the foundation stone for the project on Monday.

vinayak.aj@thehindu.co.in