In Mangaluru, Prime Minister Modi dedicated and laid the foundation for industrialization and mechanization projects costing roughly Rs 3800 crores at New Mangalore Port on September 2, 2022.
The New Mangalore Port Authority’s initiative to mechanize Berth No. 14 for the handling of containers and other cargo, which cost over Rs 280 crore, was launched by the Prime Minister. The mechanized terminal will strengthen the business environment by improving efficiency and slashing turnaround time, pre-berthing delays, and dwell time in the port by about 35%. Phase I of the project has been successfully finished, increasing handling capacity by more than 4.2 MTPA, which will rise to more than 6 MTPA by 2025.
Following the motto “Ports for Prosperity”, he also laid the cornerstone for five Port-sponsored projects, ‘Integrated LPG and Bulk Liquid POL Facility, Storage Tanks and Edible Oil Refinery, Bitumen Storage and Allied Facilities, Bitumen, Edible Oil Storage and Allied Facilities, Development of Fishing Harbour at Kulai’, totaling about Rs 1000 crore. With a cutting-edge cryogenic LPG storage tank terminal and an integrated LPG and bulk liquid POL facility, it will be possible to efficiently unload a complete load of VLGCs (very large gas carriers) weighing 45,000 tonnes. The facility will support the region’s implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana while enhancing the port’s standing as one of the major LPG import ports in the nation.
PM also set the groundwork for Refineries involving the construction of storage tanks and an edible oil refinery, as well as the construction of bitumen storage and related facilities and the development of bitumen and edible oil storage and related facilities. These developments will enhance the turnaround time of bitumen and edible oil vessels and reduce the overall freight cost for trade. Additionally, he laid the cornerstone for the construction of a fishing harbor at Kulai, which will help with the safe handling of fish catch and permit higher pricing on the world market. The Sagarmala Programme will oversee this work, which will greatly assist the local fishing population on a socioeconomic level.
The BS VI Upgradation Project and Sea Water Desalination Plant are the other two projects Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has officially launched. The approximately Rs 1830 crore BS VI Upgradation Project will enable the manufacturing of ultra-pure, environmentally beneficial BS-VI grade fuel (with sulfur content of less than 10 PPM). The installation of the seawater desalination plant, which costs approximately Rs. 680 crores, will aid in reducing reliance on fresh water and guarantee a consistent supply of petrochemicals and hydrocarbons throughout the year. The plant turns seawater into the water needed for the refinery processes at a rate of 30 Million Litres per Day (MLD).
The event was attended by Shri Thawar Chand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs; Coal; and Mines, Shri Basavaraj Bommal, the Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal Union Minister for Ports, Shipping & Waterways; and Ayush, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Union MoS for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Shri V. Sunil Kumar Minister, Govt. of Karnataka, Shri S. Angara, Minister, Govt. of Karnataka, Shri Nalin Kumar Kateel, Member of Parliament.
