Strengthening India’s maritime backbone, the Centre on Wednesday rolled out port infrastructure and digital governance projects worth Rs 2.35 billion at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited, marking a major push to enhance coastal resilience, safety and ease of doing business in Tamil Nadu.

Launching the projects under the “Viksit Bharat, Viksit Ports” programme, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said the investments reflect the government’s commitment to building globally competitive, climate-resilient and digitally enabled ports. He said Narendra Modi’s vision of Viksit Bharat and Atmanirbhar Bharat is driving India’s maritime transformation by modernising ports, strengthening resilience, digitising operations and improving trade facilitation.

Of the total outlay, Rs 1.29 billion has been earmarked for Chennai Port Authority and Rs 1.06 billion for Kamarajar Port Limited.

At Chennai Port, Sonowal laid foundation stones for three major projects: repair and strengthening of the coastal revetment along 850 metres using climate-resilient designs at a cost of Rs 0.33 billion; construction of a new firefighting pump house at the Oil Dock Area in line with OISD norms at Rs 0.43 billion; and modernisation of the Chennai Port Hospital at Rs 0.08 billion. He also inaugurated the Enterprise Business System, a SAP-based integrated digital platform developed at a cost of Rs 0.45 billion to streamline finance, port operations, procurement, assets and customer services, significantly improving transparency and operational efficiency.

At Kamarajar Port, the minister inaugurated the rehabilitated Northern Breakwater Head, built at an investment of Rs 1.05 billion to strengthen navigational safety following cyclone damage. He also laid the foundation stone for a new boundary wall along the Northern Port Access Road at a cost of Rs 0.014 billion.

As part of a nationwide trade facilitation drive, Sonowal launched the e-Port Clearance portal under the One Nation–One Port Process, enabling online submission and issuance of port clearance certificates. The move is expected to cut vessel turnaround time and improve predictability in maritime operations. Calling the investments transformational, Sonowal said sustained reforms under the Sagarmala Programme are positioning India among the world’s leading maritime nations while supporting growth and employment.

Later in the day, the minister visited Swabodhini School and Vocational Centre for Special Children at Tondiarpet and interacted with students. He also flagged off the India International Regatta 2026, encouraging greater youth participation in water sports.