Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates

infra projects worth Rs 148 crore to augment capacity in Chennai & Kamarajar Ports

CHENNAI: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal on 23rd April inaugurated major infrastructure projects in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to augment the capacity of Chennai and Kamarajar ports in the state. The projectsworth more than Rs. 148 crore - aim at boosting the capacity of Chennai and Kamarajar ports. The Union Minister also underlined the ongoing discussion between India and Russia to open up ‘Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor’ in order to bolster the maritime trade betweenthetwocountries.

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 Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.

Speaking on the occasion, the Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The rich history of Tamil Nadu’s marine trade has been a bedrock of growth and development of Indian economy. As we work towards building an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, these projects are expected to play a pivotal role in engineering the positive turnaround in the marinesectoroftheregion.Theprojectsinauguratedtoday will not only empower Tamil Nadu’s marine sector but also enable growth multipliers in the regional trade along with the Export Import trade. Our conscious effort to unlock the humongous potential of Blue Economy, through revolutionary schemes like Sagarmala, is in sync with the visionof newIndiaasenvisagedbyModiji.”

Commenting on the furthering marine cooperation between Russia and India, Shri Sonowal said, “India is in talks with Russia to open up Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Corridor to further the special relationship between the two countries while unlocking the huge trade potential in blue economy. Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, India affirms its commitmenttorejuvenateitstrade&investmentpotential to propel the growth of India. This corridor will serve this purpose acting as a conduit of growth & investment cooperation between two historic cities with rich marine history-ChennaiandVladivostok-ofthetwo countries.”

The 15,000 Sq Meters large Goods Shed facility, with loading & stacking facilities at Jolarpet, will enable movement of cargo from up to Chennai Port through railway, increasing movement of cargo especially containers. The port will also get a revenue share (from SouthernRailway)fromtheTerminalAccessCharges.

As part of the Green Port Initiative of MoPSW, the Sewage treatment plant of 40 KLD capacity will enable reuse of waste water after treatment for various purposes. The Amrit Mahotsav Marg between Kamarajar Port’s 4.8 km access road from Vallur junction to NCTPS junction was built with an investment of Rs. 88 crores. This will boost hassle free movement of cargo with better road connectivity to the port. Widening and Concreting of Port Access Road from Vallur Junction to NCTPS junction was completed under Sagarmala and one of the “NationalInfrastructurePipeline”projectsofMoPSW.