India is on the brink of becoming a global leader in the maritime sector, according to Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal. Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Kamarajar Port Trust in Chennai, he highlighted the nation's growing ambitions to enhance its position on the world stage.
India, Sonowal declared, will emerge as one of the top ten maritime nations by 2047, driven by significant improvements in its cargo handling capacity, alongside the development of a strong shipping building and repairs ecosystem.
The Minister stressed the importance of expanding India's maritime infrastructure, with Kamarajar Port playing a key role in this transformation. Not only does the port facilitate efficient coal handling, it also helps in decongesting the nearby Chennai Port, allowing for smoother operations and future growth potential.
The development at Kamarajar is in line with India’s broader objective to improve port facilities, increase cargo capacity, and boost maritime trade to bolster its position in the global market.
The Kamarajar Port has already made strides in improving its infrastructure, with projects designed to enhance its operational efficiency. A major development is the construction of the IOCL Jetty, expected to handle 3 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA).
This addition will greatly increase the port’s capacity and enable better service for both domestic and international trade. Another significant initiative is the establishment of a seawater desalination plant at the port.
With a cost of Rs 32 crores, this facility will not only meet the water requirements of the port but also serve the nearby coastal communities, providing access to fresh drinking water and supporting other domestic needs.
The Union Minister emphasised that the Ministry of Shipping’s focus on quality and timely execution of infrastructure projects has resulted in faster completion of key programmes.
By prioritising quality while implementing these developments, India is creating a robust maritime infrastructure that will meet future demands and contribute to the country's economic growth. These projects are integral to India’s long-term strategy of becoming a dominant maritime power on the global stage.
As part of the ongoing development, Sonowal laid the foundation stone for an Integrated Command and Control Centre at Kamarajar Port, backed by a substantial investment of Rs 545 crores.
This new facility will provide state-of-the-art systems to manage port operations more efficiently, improving response times and the overall management of port activities.
The construction of the capital dredging project will further facilitate the expansion and development of port infrastructure, enabling it to handle larger vessels and increasing the port’s overall capacity.
This project is a crucial part of the broader efforts to upgrade India’s port system, in line with global standards, and to ensure that India can handle rising maritime trade volumes as the global economy recovers and grows.
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