Gadkari lays foundation of Rs 1,117 cr projs at JNPT

To boost port infrastructure, Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari today laid foundation stone of eight connectivity projects worth Rs 1,117.03 crore at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT).

The projects include integrated common rail yard facility at JNPT, construction of coastal berth, and restructuring of yard behind shallow water berth, the Ministry of Shipping said in a release.

These projects will enhance connectivity of the hinterland to the port.

Port connectivity is among the four pillars of the Ministry of Shipping's flagship Sagarmala programme, the release said.

"Huge investments are expected under the Sagarmala programme, which will lead to better infrastructure and creation of new jobs besides giving a big push to Indian exports," Gadkari said.

He said a lot of companies have shown interest in acquiring land for setting up factories in the JNPT SEZ zone, and this in turn will create a demand for skilled manpower.

Gadkari informed that a coordinator will be appointed to look into the requirements of these new companies and help train the local youth from Raigad and Konkan areas to meet their specific needs.

JNPT chairman Anil Diggikarsaid that the Port Trust is focused on creating world-class infrastructure to enable hassle-free trade and contribute to the ease of doing business.

"Efforts aimed at improving the infrastructure at JNPT have already started bearing results as congestion has come down to zero and tonnage handled has reached a record high of 4.5 million TEU for the year ended March 2017," the release quoted him as saying.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)