By 2047, India will rank among the top 10 maritime nations in the world: Sarbanand Sonwal
Foundation stone laid for three projects worth ₹582 crore at Kamarajar port
INN/Chennai, @Infodeaofficial
We are putting a lot of effort into making India one of the top 10 maritime nations in the world by 2047. Speaking at the Kamarajar Port’s silver jubilee celebration, Sarbanand Sonwal, Union minister for ports, shipping, and waterways, stated that the prompt and efficient implementation of people-friendly and corporate-friendly policies is the reason why our nation’s economy is expanding under PM Narendra Modi’s leadership. He praised Tamil Nadu’s efforts and emphasised that other states should take inspiration from the state’s advancements in industry, agriculture, technology, and many other areas.
During a celebration of the port’s silver anniversary he launched A 1 MLD Sea Water Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plant (₹37 crore) and an Integrated Command and Control Centre (₹25 crore) were laid as part of Capital Dredging Phase VI (₹520 crore), which aims to dredge the port’s berth to 18 m draft from the current 16 m draft in order to draw in such huge vessels.
The minister also unveiled a Coffee Table Book detailing the port’s history, making it the first major port in India to be corporatised and the 12th largest port overall. With vast tracts of land (about 2,000 acres), the port was initially designed primarily to handle thermal coal to satisfy the needs of the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB).
The scope was broadened in light of later events, including the Government of Tamil Nadu’s intention to establish a naphtha cracker facility, a sizable petrochemical park, and a 1,880 MW LNG power project in collaboration with a private consortium.
Two berths for coal vessels up to 65,000/70000 deadweight tonnes, dredging for the approach channel and harbour basin, onshore civil works, navigational aids, and two breakwaters were all part of the first phase of the port’s main construction. On February 1, 2001, the then-prime minister of India officially opened Kamarajar Port.
On June 22, 2001, Handymax-equipped vessels began commercial operations for the offloading of thermal coal. The master plan calls for a total of 27 berths with a handling capacity of 254.52 million tonnes by 2047, while the port now has 9 berths with a handling capacity of 57.44 million tonnes.