Prime Minister Narendra Modi travels to Karnataka and Kerala in September as a strong supporter of “Aatmanirbharta,” particularly in strategic sectors. In Mangaluru, Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation for projects worth around Rs 3,800 crore. He will inaugurate the project worth over Rs 280 crore for the mechanisation of Berth No.14 for handling containers and other cargo, undertaken by the New Mangalore Port Authority.
A boost to the business environment will result from the mechanised terminal’s increased efficiency and reduction of the turnaround time, pre-berthing delay, and dwell time in the port by about 35 per cent. Phase I of the project has been successfully completed, resulting in an increase in handling capacity of more than 4.2 MTPA. By 2025, this handling capacity will have increased to more than 6 MTPA.
He will lay the foundation for five Port-funded projects totaling about Rs 1,000 crore. The integrated LPG and Bulk Liquid POL Facility will be able to efficiently unload a full load of VLGC (very large gas carriers) of 45,000 tonnes because it will be equipped with a cutting-edge cryogenic LPG storage tank terminal.
The facility will support the region’s implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana while enhancing the port’s standing as one of the major LPG import ports in the nation. The Prime Minister will officially lay the foundation for projects to build storage tanks, an edible oil refinery, bitumen storage and related facilities, and bitumen and edible oil storage and related facilities. These initiatives will decrease total freight costs for commerce and speed up turnaround times for bitumen and edible oil vessels. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation for the construction of Kulai’s Fishing Harbour, which will enable better fish pricing in the world market and safer fish handling.
The fishing community will significantly gain socioeconomically from this operation, which will be carried out under the aegis of the Sagarmala programme.
The BS VI Upgradation Project and the Sea Water Desalination Plant, two projects started by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited, will also be inaugurated by the PM. The BS VI Upgradation Project, estimated to cost Rs. 1830 crores, will make it easier to produce ultra-pure fuel that is also environmentally safe. The seawater desalination plant, built for about Rs 680 crore, will help by reducing the need for fresh water and ensuring a consistent supply of petrochemicals and hydrocarbons throughout the year. The plant turns seawater into the water needed for the refinery processes at a rate of 30 Million Litres per Day (MLD). (ANI)
