The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) and AYUSH, Sarbananda Sonowal on 23 April, 2023 inaugurated major infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 148 crore in Chennai, which is geared towards capacity augmentation of Chennai and Kamarajar ports in Tamil Nadu.
A bunker berth at Bharathi Dock, a goods shed yard at Jolarpet and a 40 kld sewage treatment plant were inaugurated at Chennai port. These projects with a total cost of more than Rs 55 crore, will result in a positive turnaround in the marine sector of the region, as per the Union Minister.
The 182 mtrs. bunker berth project, worth Rs 50.25 crore, will enable a capacity addition of one mln tpa and will also handle bunker tankers up to 10,000 DWT, and serve the bunkering needs of vessels calling at the regional ports in Chennai, Kamarajar and Katupalli and also from nearby locations. The 15,000 sq. mtrs. large goods shed facility, with loading and stacking facilities at Jolarpet, will enable cargo movement up to Chennai Port through the railway, which will step up the movement of containers, in particular.
As part of the Green Port Initiative of MoPSW, the Sewage treatment plant of 40 KLD capacity will enable the reuse of wastewater after treatment for various purposes. The Amrit Mahotsav Marg between Kamarajar Port’s 4.8 km access road from Vallur junction to NCTPS junction will boost the hassle-free movement of cargo with better road connectivity to the port, as envisaged under the national infrastructure pipeline projects of MoPSW.
The Chennai Port along with the Kamarajar Port has led the EXIM trade of the state, wherein the Chennai port clocked an operating income of Rs 943 crore for 2022-23, and the Kamarajar Port also crossed Rs 1,000-crore income mark for the first time in FY23.
The Union Minister also apprised about the discussion between India and Russia to open up the ‘Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor’ to improve the maritime trade between the two countries.
Under the port modernisation category, 44 projects worth Rs 49,045 crore includes the ‘development and operation of a full-fledged truck parking terminal adjacent to NH-7A opposite to Fisheries College at VoC Port’, and others.
Source: Projects Today
