Projects to augment capacity in Chennai & Kamarajar Ports

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal recently inaugurated major infrastructure projects in Chennai, to augment the capacity of Chennai and Kamarajar ports in the state. The projects – worth more than Rs. 148 crore – aim at boosting the capacity of Chennai and Kamarajar ports.

The Union Minister also underlined the on-going discussion between India and Russia to open up ‘Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor’ in order to bolster the maritime trade between the two countries.

A bunker berth at Bharathi Dock, Goods Shed yard at Jolarpet and 40 KLD (Kilo Litres per day) sewage treatment plant were inaugurated at Chennai port by Mr. Sonowal. The total cost of these projects is more than Rs. 55 crore.

The 182 m Bunker berth Project, funded under the visionary Sagarmala scheme of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways  (MoPSW), is worth Rs.50.25 crore. This will enable a capacity addition of 1 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum) and will also handle Bunker Tankers up to 10,000 DWT. This will serve the bunkering needs of vessels calling at the regional ports in Chennai, Kamarajar and Katupalli and other vessels passing from nearby.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr.  Sonowal said, “The rich history of Tamil Nadu’s marine trade has been bedrock of growth and development of Indian economy. As we work towards building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ under the dynamic leadership of PM Mr. Narendra Modi  these projects are expected to play a pivotal role in engineering the positive turnaround in the marine sector of the region.

The projects will not only empower Tamil Nadu’s marine sector but also enable growth multipliers in the regional trade along with the EXIM trade.