Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, unveiled a series of infrastructure projects at Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) and Kamarajar Port (KPL) on Monday, totaling Rs. 187.33 crore in investment. These initiatives aim to enhance trade operations, increase cargo capacity, and reinforce India’s commitment to sustainable maritime infrastructure.
The Minister inaugurated several key projects, starting with four new Exim godowns at Chennai Port, costing Rs. 73.91 crore and spanning 18,000 square metres. These godowns provide dedicated storage for sensitive cargo like food grains and agricultural products. Developed under the Sagarmala scheme, they align with India’s expanding trade capacity goals.
A new 350-metre coastal road, built for Rs. 4 crore, was also launched, enhancing heavy cargo movement between Chennai Port’s terminals. The road, which is designed to reduce dust pollution and improve access, is expected to streamline container transport operations, marking a major improvement in port infrastructure.
Further bolstering connectivity, the Minister inaugurated the Doubling of Southern Railway Connectivity project at KPL, which adds 2.65 km of railway lines to meet rising EXIM demands. The Rs. 88.91 crore project includes three new rail bridges and the conversion of level crossings, doubling the port’s daily rail capacity to 44 rakes and enabling faster, safer cargo movement.
Additionally, Sonowal introduced a Rs. 20.51 crore Shore Power Supply Facility at KPL, designed to cut emissions by providing shore power at coal berths, allowing vessels to function without diesel, in line with India’s Green Port Guidelines.
“These projects are a testament to our commitment to strengthening India's maritime infrastructure and our unwavering focus on sustainability. We are preparing our ports to meet the evolving demands of global trade while ensuring they align with environmental goals,” Shri Sonowal.
The event also included the presentation of the IAPH Sustainability Award report and the renaming of Clive Battery Quarters to Ramanujan Quarters as part of the Ministry’s Panch Pran initiative. These projects mark a significant milestone for Chennai and Kamarajar Ports, highlighting the Ministry's vision for a sustainable, future-ready port ecosystem that reinforces India's status as a global trade hub.
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