The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal dedicated the Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT) to the nation at the VO Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOCPA) here today. The Union Minister also inaugurated key infra projects as well as laid foundation stones for several initiatives.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi addressed the inauguration of Tuticorin International Container Terminal via video message today. Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister underlined that today marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation and hailed the new Tuticorin International Container Terminal as the ‘new star of India’s marine infrastructure’. Highlighting its role in expanding the capacity of the V.O. Chidambaranar Port, the Prime Minister said, “With a deep draft of more than 14 meters and a berth over 300 meters long, this terminal will play a crucial role in enhancing the capacity of the V.O.C. port.” The PM further added that the new terminal is expected to reduce logistics costs at the port and save foreign exchange for India. He congratulated the people of Tamil Nadu and recalled several projects related to V.O.C. Port that had been initiated during his visit two years ago. He expressed satisfaction with the rapid completion. He emphasized that one of the terminal’s key achievements is its commitment to gender diversity with 40% of its employees being women, symbolizing women-led Development in the maritime sector.
Shri Sonowal also flagged off the maiden Container Vessel from the new TICT terminal marking the beginning of operation for one of significant port infrastructure project in the country. The port has been developed with an investment of more than ₹434 crores, with a capacity to handle 6 lakh TEUs annually. The terminal has a draft of 14.20 meters which allows it to accommodate container vessels of up to 10,000 TEUs.
The Union Minister also inaugurated the newly constructed Green Hydrogen Project, which he dubbed as a ‘major step towards realising PM Narendra Modi’s vision of making India global hub of Green Hydrogen’. He l also inaugurated a 400 kW Rooftop Solar Power Plant as part of the ‘Harit Sagar Green Port Initiative.’ The Union Minister also witnessed exchange of Land Lease Agreements for new ventures as the VOCPA expands its industrial landscape, unlocking huge potential for growth.