India Aiming for a Top 10 Spot in Global Maritime Rankings by 2047: Sarbananda Sonowal
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Chennai, Dec 7 (NationPress) India is on track to become a dominant force in the maritime sector as it significantly increases its cargo handling capacity at ports and develops a resilient ecosystem for shipbuilding and repairs, declared Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on Saturday.
During the silver jubilee festivities of the Kamarajar Port Trust in this city, the minister asserted that by 2047, India will rank among the top 10 maritime nations globally.
He also inaugurated the foundation stone for the establishment of a capital dredging and Integrated Command and Control Centre at Kamarajar Port, with an investment of Rs 545 crore.
The minister noted that this port represents a crucial advancement in relieving congestion at Chennai Port by enabling efficient coal handling and future expansion opportunities.
Furthermore, the construction of the IOCL Jetty, capable of handling 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), will further boost its operational capacity.
“The introduction of a 1 MLD Seawater Desalination Plant at the port, costing Rs 32 crore, will cater not only to the port's requirements but also to the local coastal community’s needs for drinking and domestic use,” Sonowal added.
Emphasizing that the prompt execution of infrastructural projects initiated by the Shipping Ministry has expedited the completion of major programs, he stated that quality remains a priority in the rollout of development initiatives.
Additionally, Sonowal participated in the 83rd convocation of Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha in Madras.
“Hindi resides in the hearts of all Indians, and through this language, we can unify the nation in the Gandhian spirit,” the minister remarked.
“Hindi has embraced every regional language, making it its greatest point of significance. We must strive to elevate Hindi to a global language status, a power it is already poised to achieve,” Sonowal concluded.
