In a move to enhance maritime capacity and efficiency, projects that are worth more than Rs 148 crore were introduced at Kamarajar and Chennai ports in Tamil Nadu by Sarbananda Sonowal, India’s Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
Sonowal unveiled three new projects with an estimated worth of Rs 56 crore at the Chennai Port and another new assignment at Kamarajar Port worth about Rs 92 crore, per Economic Times.
Following the Green Port Initiative launched by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (better known as the MoPSW) — a sewage treatment plant of 40 KLD (Kilo litres per day) was launched at the Chennai port — to permit the reusability of treated wastewater.
Besides, a 182-meter bunker berth at Bharathi Dock, Goods Shed yard was also launched at Jolarpet. The bunker berth is also a part of the Sagarmala initiative of the MoPSW. It is expected to add 1 million metric tons per annum and can accommodate bunker tankers of about 10,000 DWT.
This infrastructure is expected to cater to the bunkering needs of the regional ports based in Chennai, Katupalli, and Kamarajar, as well as neighbouring vessels that pass by.
Further, the Amrit Mahotsav Marg, which stretches 4.8 km up to NCTPS junction from Vallur junction, was built to boost the access road’s connectivity to the Kamarajar Port.
In his speech, Sonowal emphasized the importance of the state’s rich marine trade history as a solid foundation for the country’s economic development.
He further spoke about the importance of nurturing the country into a self-sustaining and independent India, which is also the driving force behind the Indian government’s initiatives for the marine sector.
The projects that were launched in Tamil Nadu are highly likely to play a vital role in the marine sector’s transformation into a more profitable trade industry. Of the total number of projects in the Sagarmala initiative, 108 worth about Rs 1.46 lakh crore are undergoing implementation in Tamil Nadu.
Of these projects, three are worth about Rs 34,752 crore and have been executed by now, while 34 worth about Rs 67,759 crore are in implementation, and 31 are in different stages of development.
Russia and India decide to open the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor
India’s Union Minister underlined the discussion between Russia and India to open the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor to enhance maritime trade between the two countries.
In a bid to deepen India’s ties with Russia as well as tap into the potential of the blue economy, India is set to explore the possibility of opening up the corridor.
Sonowal reported that India and Russia are in discussion to finally set open the Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor to enhance the ties between the nations while also unlocking a huge potential for trade in the blue economy.
Under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India has affirmed its commitment to rejuvenate the country’s trade and investment potential for propelling the growth of the nation.
Reference: The Economic Times, India Shipping News