PM Modi unveils infrastructure projects worth Rs 4000 in Kerala's Kochi, inaugurates largest dry dock in India

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

One of the largest in the area, the Rs 1,800 crore New Dry Dock at CSL can house future aircraft carriers and large commercial vessels.

Constructed for Rs 970 crore, the ISRF will upgrade CSL's ship repair capabilities and bolster Kochi's position as a prominent ship repair hub.

With an estimated construction cost of Rs 1,236 crore, Indian Oil's LPG Import Terminal will guarantee a steady supply of LPG in the area, improving India's accessibility to energy.

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

Emphasising the role of every state in the journey of making India ‘Viksit Bharat’ during the Amrit Kaal, Modi recalled the role of ports in India’s erstwhile prosperity in earlier times and envisaged a similar role for ports now that India is taking new strides and becoming a major centre of global trade.

In line with this vision, the government is engaged in improving the strength of port cities like Kochi, he said.

He listed an increase in port capacity, investment in port infrastructure, and improved connectivity of ports under the Sagarmala Project.

The Prime Minister mentioned the country’s largest dry dock that Kochi inaugurated today. Other projects like shipbuilding, ship repair, and LPG import terminals will also give momentum to development in Kerala and the southern region of the country.

The PM said that the reforms of rules related to Indian seafarers led to an increase in the number of seafarers in the country by 140 percent.

Modi underlined that the Middle East-European Economic Corridor will further strengthen the creation of Viksit Bharat by giving a boost to the coastal economy of India.

The Prime Minister also touched upon the recently launched Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, which presents a roadmap to reinforce India’s maritime prowess for 'Viksit Bharat'.

He reiterated the government’s efforts to build mega ports, shipbuilding, and ship-repairing infrastructure in the country. Modi said that the new dry dock is the national pride of India.

This will not only enable big vessels to dock but also make shipbuilding and ship repair work possible here, reducing dependence on foreign countries and saving foreign exchange.

Referring to the inauguration of the International Ship Repair Facility, the Prime Minister said that it will transform Kochi into India's and Asia’s largest ship repair centre.

Drawing the analogy of multiple MSMEs coming together in the manufacturing of INS Vikrant, he expressed confidence in the creation of a new ecosystem of MSMEs with the inauguration of such huge shipbuilding and repair facilities.

Modi further added that the new LPG Import Terminal will meet the LPG needs of Kochi, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Calicut, Madurai, and Trichy while also supporting industries, other economic development activities, and the creation of new jobs in these areas.

The Prime Minister noted the foremost position of Kochi Shipyard’s green technology capacities and its primacy in making ‘Make in India’ vessels.

He also praised the electric vessels made for the Kochi Water Metro. Electric hybrid passenger ferries for Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura, and Guwahati are being made here.

“Kochi Shipyard is playing an important role in modern and green water connectivity in the cities of the country," he said.

Modi also mentioned zero-emission electric cargo ferries being made for Norway and the work in progress on the world’s first hydrogen-fueled feeder container vessel.

“Kochi Shipyard is further strengthening our mission of taking India towards hydrogen fuel-based transport. I am confident that very soon the country will also get an indigenous hydrogen fuel cell ferry," the PM added.

He highlighted the role of the fishing community in the blue economy and port-led development.

Modi credited the manifold increase in fish production and exports in the last 10 years to the development of new infrastructure projects under PM Matsya Sampada Yojna, subsidies provided by the central government for modernised boats to carry out deep sea fishing and Kisan Credit Cards for fishermen along the lines of farmers.

The PM said that the government is giving impetus to boosting India’s contributions in the seafood processing sector, which will lead to a huge increase in the income of fishermen and make their lives easier.