The Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi recently inaugurated three major infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 4,000s crore in Kochi, Kerala. 

The Projects Inaugurated included a New Dry Dock (NDD) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) of CSL, and LPG Import Terminal of Indian Oil Corporation Limited at Puthuvypeen, Kochi. 

These major infrastructure projects are in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to transform India’s ports, shipping, and waterways sector, and build capacity and self-sufficiency in it.

Mr Modi said that the Government is engaged in improving the strength of port cities like Kochi and listed an increase in port capacity, investment in port infrastructure, and improved connectivity of ports under the Sagarmala Project. 

He also informed that the reforms of rules related to Indian Seafarers led to an increase in the number of seafarers in the country by 140 percent.  

Within the country, the Prime Minister said that passenger and cargo transport got a major boost by making use of inland waterways.

“Sabka Prayas yields better results”, he remarked highlighting that Indian ports have achieved double-digit annual growth in the last 10 years. 

An LPG Import Terminal for IOCL was also inaugurated today at Puthuvypeen, Kochi with a state-of-the-art infrastructure connected with Multi-User Liquid Terminal Jetty through a 3.5 km Cross Country Pipeline. 

With a storage capacity of 15,400 MT, the terminal aims at achieving a turnover of 1.2 MMTPA. The terminal will ensure LPG distribution through road and pipeline transfers, which will directly benefit bottling plants in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 

It will significantly enhance India’s energy infrastructure by ensuring a steady supply of LPG, benefiting millions of households and businesses in and around the region.