Chennai: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways & Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday launched a new drive through container scanner at the Chennai Port in Chennai. He also laid the foundation stones for two sewage treatment plants (STP) at the port in order to champion the cause of sustainable growth.
Speaking on the occasion, Sonowal, who was accompanied by his deputy Shripad Naik, said that the new infrastructure at the port to drive up economies of scale to boost business and trade.
The combined capacity of these two STPs is pegged at 130 kilo litres per day (KLD), with one at 90 KLD & other at 40 KLD capacity. The water generated through these plants will be used within the port, reducing its dependence on usage of fresh water.
The minister also launched a computer upgradation programme at the port in order to augment IT infrastructure at the port. A total of 440 units of modern computer set ups are to be set up as per this programme.
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Highlighting the role of PM Gati Shakti as an advantage factor, Sonowal said “As we are celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, we must remember the vision the country has set up to become Atmanirbhar by 2047, when the country will be celebrating a century of freedom. We must work hard and with a laser sharp focus to bring home this objective & make our country the best in the world.”
The Minister also called upon the people to unlock huge potential by applying the existing resources & secure advantage Gati Shakti to achieve the objective. “I am happy to share with you all that Chennai Port is working to secure this advantage absolutely. Many projects like Bunker Berth at Bharathi Dock, development of the Goods Shed facility at Jolarpet, a new Elevated Road from Chennai Port to Maduravoyal, development of Multimodal Logistics Park at Mappedu, Chennai and many more are on the path to avail this advantage and unlock great trade potential for the country,” he added.
The port will have a 20 meters high National Flag Mast. This foundation will hold a National Flag with a height of 18 feet & width of 12 feet. The structure will be able to withstand a wind velocity upto 140 kms/hr. At such a stature, the National Flag will instill patriotic feelings & remind of the contributions made by our forefathers to win the freedom of the country.
As many as 300 employees of Chennai Port formed a human National Flag at West Quay IV Berth of the port in order to evoke the spirit of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ among common people of the region. The people – led by Sonowal – also enthusiastically took part in a cleanliness drive at the Besant Nagar Beach as part of Swacha Sagar Surakshit Sagar campaign. Along with the officials, the students of Indian Maritime University actively took part in this exercise. The Minister also received a Guard of Honour by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) at West Quay IV Berth in the port.
The Minister also handed over compensation to 16 family members of Chennai Port Authority, who lost their lives to COVID 19 pandemic.
The Chennai Port has been playing a crucial role in the industrialisation of the southern India. Following the acquisition of the Kamarajar Port, the Chennai port has been doing good business. In FY2021-22, the port handled 48.6 MMT of cargo and registered an increase of 11.5% compared with the cargo handled during the last year in spite of Covid-19 backdrop. The Chennai port earned a record net surplus of Rs 113.15 crores in FY 2020-21, their highest in a decade.
