Tamil Nadu: Sarbananda Sonowal Inaugurates Infra Projects Worth Rs 148 Crore To Augment Capacity In Chennai And Kamarajar Ports

Aiming at boosting the capacity of Chennai and Kamarajar ports, Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday inaugurated major infrastructure projects in Chennai, Tamil Nadu to augment the capacity of these two ports in the state.

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 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 Sarbananda Sonowal.

The total cost of these projects is more than Rs 55 cr. The 182 m Bunker Berth Project, funded under the Sagarmala scheme of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways  (MoPSW), is worth Rs 50.25 cr.

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 Kattupalli and other vessels passing from nearby.

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

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

Commenting on the furthering marine cooperation between Russia and India, 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 the blue economy.

"This corridor will serve this purpose acting as a conduit of growth & investment cooperation between two historic cities with rich marine history - Chennai and Vladivostok - of the two  countries.”

The 15,000 Sq Meters large Goods Shed facility, with loading and 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 Southern Railway) from the Terminal Access Charges.

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 cr.

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 is one of the “National Infrastructure Pipeline” projects of MoPSW.

Sagarmala Programme

The Sagarmala Programme has taken an integrated approach towards development of the maritime infrastructure of India and identified projects under five key pillars for development – Port Modernisation, Port Connectivity, Port-Led Industrialisation, Coastal Community Development and Coastal Shipping & Inland Water Transport.    

There are 802 projects worth Rs 5.40 lakh crore for implementation under the Sagarmala Programme by 2035. Out of which, 221 projects worth Rs 1.12 lakh crore have been completed and 252 projects worth Rs 2.29 lakh crore are under implementation.

In addition to the above, 329 projects worth Rs 1.98 lakh crore are under various stages of development.

Out of the total Sagarmala Projects, 108 projects worth Rs 1.46 lakh crore are being implemented in the state of Tamil Nadu. Of the 108 projects, 43 projects worth Rs 34,752 crore have already been completed, 34 projects worth Rs 67,759 crore  are under Implementation and 31 projects worth Rs. 44,057 crore are under various stages of development.

The Chennai Port has been playing a crucial role in the industrialisation of southern India. Along with the Kamarajar Port, the Chennai port has been the backbone of the EXIM trade of the State.