Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for multiple developmental projects worth Rs 1.93 billion at Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Kandla, marking a significant step towards strengthening port infrastructure and operational efficiency.

During his visit, Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority, briefed the Secretary on the port’s strong operational performance, recent achievements, and ongoing as well as upcoming initiatives focused on enhancing capacity, efficiency and sustainability. Vijay Kumar appreciated DPA’s consistent growth trajectory and its strategic contribution to India’s maritime and logistics ecosystem.

A key highlight of the visit was the inauguration and foundation stone laying of several landmark projects with a cumulative outlay of Rs 1.93 billion. These initiatives are expected to improve port infrastructure, expedite cargo evacuation and support the long-term expansion and modernisation of the port.

Vijay Kumar inaugurated projects including land reclamation for the development of a shipyard facility at Kandla, coastal road connectivity linking the port to National Highway 141, and Dome-shaped Storage Godown No. 4 to enhance modern storage capacity. He also laid the foundation stone for projects such as a chemical product pipeline from Oil Jetty No. 7 to the Y-Junction within the Oil Jetty Complex, upgradation of fenders at cargo berths 1 to 6, residential quarters at Gopalpuri township, a conference hall and shopping complex at Gandhidham, and a police community hall at Shinay under CSR initiatives.

Reinforcing DPA’s commitment to sustainability, Vijay Kumar also inaugurated a fleet of green VOLVO electric vehicle loaders along with a charging bay. Further strengthening the port’s green transition, a Letter of Award was issued to Thermax for developing India’s first 5 TPD Green Methanol Facility at Deendayal Port.

The Secretary also attended a stakeholders’ meet with Sushil Kumar Singh, IRSME, Chairman, Deendayal Port Authority, and Nilabhra Dasgupta, IRS, Dy. Chairman, where port users engaged in discussions on operational efficiencies, future opportunities and collaborative growth.

News source: ANI