PM Modi dedicates to nation infrastructure projects worth more than ₹4,000 Cr in Kochi, Kerala
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated three major infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 4,000s crore in Kochi, Kerala today. The projects being inaugurated today include New Dry Dock (NDD) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of CSL, and LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited at Puthuvypeen, Kochi. These major infrastructure projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to transform India’s ports, shipping, and waterways sector, and build capacity and self-sufficiency in it.
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal joined the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi when these four projects were dedicated to the nation here at CSL today.
Emphasizing the role of every state in the journey of making India ‘Viksit Bharat’ during the Amrit Kaal. The Prime Minister recalled the role of ports in India’s erstwhile prosperity in earlier times and envisaged a similar role for ports now when India is taking new strides and becoming a major center of global trade. In such a scenario, the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi said that the Government is engaged in improving the strength of port cities like Kochi. He listed an increase in port capacity, investment in port infrastructure, and improved connectivity of ports under the Sagarmala Project.
The Prime Minister mentioned the country’s largest dry dock that Kochi received today. Other projects like shipbuilding, ship repairing and LPG import terminal will also give momentum to development in Kerala and the southern region of the country. He also noted the honour of building ‘Made in India’ aircraft carrier INS Vikrant with the Kochi Shipyard. New facilities will enhance the capabilities of the shipyard many times.
The Prime Minister highlighted the reforms made in the ports, shipping and waterways sector in the last 10 years and said that it has brought new investments in India’s ports and created new employment opportunities. He informed that the reforms of rules related to Indian Seafarers led to an increase in the number of seafarers in the country by 140 percent. Within the country, the Prime Minister said that passenger and cargo transport got a major boost by making use of inland waterways.
“Sabka Prayas yields better results”, he remarked highlighting that Indian ports have achieved double-digit annual growth in the last 10 years. Till 10 years ago, he recalled that ships had to wait quite long at the ports and the unloading took very long. “Today, the situation has changed”, Shri Modi said, informing that India has surpassed many developed nations when it comes to ship-turnaround time.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Sonowal said, “It is a great day for India’s shipping industry with the inauguration of these projects by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji today. These projects will not only bolster Shri Modi ji’s vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat but will also act as fine instruments of growth, development and employment for people of Kerala and the country at large. This is what ‘Sab Ka Saath, Sab Ka Vikas’ truly implies.
As symbols of national pride, these projects are a testament to the engineering and project management capacity of India. Kochi, which has a rich marine history, continues to drive home value as these projects is likely to provide direct employment to about 4000 people, with multiplier effect to amp up income in MSME, ancillary industries, logistics, transportation, banking, insurance, hospitality etc. leading to an all round economic growth.
These projects will also propel Cochin Shipyard Limited’s growth as it aims to double its turnover by 2028. I am happy to share that this project will lead to annual logistic saving of ₹150 crores, along with reduction in 18 thousand tons of CO₂ emissions per annum. The construction of the LPG Import Terminal has also resulted in the creation of 3.7 lakh man-days during construction phase and will lead to 19,800 man-days per year during operation phase.”
Governor of Kerala, Shri Arif Mohammed Khan, Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Shantanu Thakur; the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Tourism, Shri Shripad Naik among others were present on the occasion among others.
