Kerala’s port city of Kochi is set to become a bustling hub for ship repair and shipbuilding as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches projects worth Rs 4000 crore, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Kerala, the Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways highlighted three major initiatives.
These include Indian Oil Corporation Limited’s LPG Import Terminal, Cochin Shipyard Limited’s International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF), and the New Dry Dock (NOD).
Creating small job opportunities
Sonowal stated that the projects that the Prime Minister will inaugurate on Wednesday will not only improve India’s global standing in the maritime sector but will also contribute to job creation and support small businesses.
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The minister also stated that the projects were setting a global standard and were consistent with the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikaas’.
The New Dry Dock, built for Rs 1,799 crores at CSL’s existing premises in Kochi, is a flagship project that reflects India’s engineering prowess and project management capabilities, according to an official release.
It is one of the most extensive marine infrastructures in the region.
Cutting-edge technology
The New Dry Dock project incorporates cutting-edge technology and innovations to ensure efficiency, safety, and environmental sustainability.
The ISRF project, which costs Rs 970 crores, is being built on 42 acres of Cochin Port Authority-leased land on Willingdon Island in Kochi.
It will modernize and expand CSL’s existing ship repair capabilities, to transform Kochi into a global ship repair hub and align with the Prime Minister’s vision of establishing ship repair clusters throughout India.
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Improving infrastructure
The Indian Oil LPG Import Terminal in Puthuvypeen, Kochi, was built for Rs 1,236 crores and boasts cutting-edge infrastructure.
It will significantly improve India’s energy infrastructure by ensuring a consistent supply of LPG, benefiting millions of households and businesses in the region and beyond.
According to the release, this project will strengthen India’s efforts to ensure access to and affordability of energy for all.
