N K Premachandran, MP, stated that an immigration checkpoint should be established at Kollam Port using state government facilities, and that more time should be allowed to prepare the facilities in accordance with the requirements of the central government.

?Kollam Port is a naturally endowed port with sufficient facilities to serve foreign ships as well.

The port's development is hampered by a lack of immigration facilities. ''Kollam Port can provide foreign vessels with a variety of services such as cargo handling, importation, passenger handling, maintenance, crew change, and so on,'' Premachandran said in the Lok Sabha.

The international shipping channel runs close to Kollam Port, where ships can safely anchor even in rough seas. If the port is properly developed, great strides can be made in Kollam's trade and commerce sector.