Prime Minister Inaugurates Infrastructure Projects Worth Over Rs 4,000 Crore in Kochi, Kerala

Kochi:  In a landmark event, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated three key infrastructure projects collectively valued at over Rs 4,000 crore in Kochi, Kerala today. The projects, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision to revolutionize India’s ports, shipping, and waterways sector, included the New Dry Dock (NDD) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of CSL, and the LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited at Puthuvypeen, Kochi.

The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, accompanied the Prime Minister during the inauguration of these transformative projects at CSL.

Highlighting the strategic importance of ports and shipping in India’s historical prosperity and envisioning their role in the country’s current strides in global trade, the Prime Minister emphasized the government’s commitment to fortifying port cities like Kochi. Key elements of this commitment include an increase in port capacity, substantial investments in port infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity under the Sagarmala Project.

The Prime Minister lauded the inauguration of the country’s largest dry dock at Kochi, symbolizing national pride. He emphasized that this engineering marvel, capable of accommodating large vessels and conducting shipbuilding and repairs, reduces dependence on foreign countries and contributes to foreign exchange savings. The NDD, with a length of 310 meters, has been constructed at an investment of ₹1799 crores and possesses critical capabilities for Naval and commercial ships in emergency situations.

Another milestone project inaugurated was the International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF), India’s first fully developed pure ship repair ecosystem. Built at an investment of ₹970 crores, the ISRF adds 25% capacity to the ship repair industry in the country. Situated at Willingdon Island, Kochi, the ISRF will modernize and expand CSL’s ship repair capabilities, positioning it as a global ship repair hub. The facility is aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of creating ship repair clusters in India.

In addition, the LPG Import Terminal at Puthuvypeen, Kochi, inaugurated today, is a state-of-the-art infrastructure connected to a Multi-User Liquid Terminal Jetty through a 3.5 km Cross Country Pipeline. With a storage capacity of 15,400 MT, the terminal aims to achieve a turnover of 1.2 MMTPA, ensuring LPG distribution through road and pipeline transfers. This project significantly contributes to India’s energy infrastructure, ensuring a steady supply of LPG to households and businesses in the region.

The Prime Minister emphasized the reforms in the ports, shipping, and waterways sector over the past decade, leading to increased investments and job opportunities. Notably, the reforms related to Indian Seafarers resulted in a 140 percent increase in their numbers. The Prime Minister highlighted the growth of passenger and cargo transport through inland waterways, contributing to the sector’s development.

Underlining the success of India’s ports with double-digit annual growth in the last decade, the Prime Minister showcased the transformation from lengthy ship waiting times to efficient ship-turnaround times. He emphasized that India’s potential in global trade is recognized worldwide, citing agreements during India’s G20 Presidency regarding the Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. The Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is expected to strengthen India’s coastal economy.

The Prime Minister also touched upon the recently launched Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, offering a roadmap to reinforce India’s maritime prowess. The government’s efforts to build mega ports, shipbuilding, and ship-repairing infrastructure were reiterated as part of India’s strategic vision for the maritime sector.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister stated that the new dry dock is a source of national pride and a testament to India’s engineering capabilities. This transformative infrastructure aligns with the government’s commitment to building capacity, promoting self-sufficiency, and propelling India’s maritime sector to new heights.