Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways and AYUSH, officially opened and laid the cornerstone for a number of projects totaling 231.21 crore on Friday.
The Tuticorin Speedz Coastal Employment initiative’s most significant project involved the development of land for VOC Port-based industries to be built on 1,300 acres for an investment of 100 crore. The official opening of the inner harbour development projects, which are expected to cost 65.53 crore, was another significant event.
The inner harbour development includes dredging the widened area and widening the entrance to the VOC Port to accommodate wider and larger vessels.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal said that the Indian government was making every effort to lower logistics costs in order to help the country reach its clearly stated objective of having a $5 trillion economy by 2025.
He hoped that the “Inclusive Green Port Initiatives” implemented by the VOC Port would establish high standards across all significant ports in the nation to increase the share of renewable energy to more than 60% by 2030. The VOC Port had already begun producing green power to meet its own energy needs.
The Minister reaffirmed that the Union Government would make every effort to develop the outer harbour project as announced by Prime Minister Modi in order to transform the VOC Port into the “Transhipment Hub of the East Coast of India.”
“India will become the most powerful and the most self-reliant nation in 2047 with the foundation being laid by the Prime Minister, who is taking everyone along in developing the nation within a short span of just eight years,” he said.
He praised Tamil Nadu for its greater contribution to the nation’s economy, scientific and technological advancement, as well as the performance, cargo-handling effectiveness, and growth of VOC Port.
The upgraded 22 KV HT electrical network, established at a cost of 1.15 crore, the Fixed Fire Fighting System at the Oil Jetty, installed at a cost of 18.79 crore, and the upgraded coal yard road and drainage system were all dedicated by Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal.
At a cost of 2.29 crore, he also unveiled the “Smart Port Projects,” India’s first homegrown Vessel Traffic System. The creation of domestic systems would eliminate the requirement for spending money on expensive imported software solutions. In addition, he opened the $1.15 million Optic Fibre connectivity.
At a cost of 2.29 crore, he also unveiled the “Smart Port Projects,” India’s first homegrown Vessel Traffic System. The creation of domestic systems would eliminate the requirement for spending money on expensive imported software solutions. In addition, he opened the $1.15 million Optic Fibre connectivity.
At a total cost of 26.93 crore, he also laid the cornerstone for a 2 MW wind farm, a 400 KW rooftop solar power plant, and public EV charging stations.
The minister also dedicated the 140 MT Electronic in-motion weigh bridge, Drive through Container Scanner, and Ease of Doing Business Projects, all of which cost a combined 46.51 crore.
On the welfare front, the Minister dedicated the medical oxygen generator plant and laid the cornerstone for the VOC Maritime Heritage Museum and the Integrative Medicine & AYUSH Unit, which together cost $1.78 crore.
Participants in the event included T.K. Ramachandran, the chairman of the VOC Port Authority, District Collector K. Senthil Raj, and port stakeholders.
The Minister discussed various ongoing and upcoming capacity augmentation initiatives with the Port authorities after evaluating the Port’s performance and making other suggestions to increase the Port’s productivity. He interacted with various Port and shipping industry stakeholders while touring the port’s facilities, assessing the infrastructure and upcoming projects.
