Navi Mumbai, India
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, presided over the inauguration of several pivotal sustainability and infrastructure projects at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA). Key highlights include the revitalization of three freshwater lakes, strategically integrated to support rainwater harvesting and biodiversity restoration, symbolizing the port’s commitment to sustainable development. Additionally, Sonowal oversaw the signing of critical Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), aimed at bolstering the port’s energy efficiency and advancing financing for infrastructure projects, including through partnerships with entities like Gateway Terminal India and the Rural Electrification Corporation.
A major infrastructure development underlined during the visit was the expansion of JNPA’s liquid cargo handling capacity, which will be increased from 6.5 to 11 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA). This expansion is set to be achieved through the construction of additional berths, facilitated via a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, positioning the port to better serve India’s growing trade demands under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Moreover, the launch of the Vadhavan Skilling Program’s WhatsApp ChatBot marks a significant step towards local workforce development, aligning with the anticipated 10 lakh employment opportunities to be generated by the Vadhavan Port project.
By Priyadharshini
