Centre Rolls Out ₹235-Cr Port Projects in Tamil Nadu

New Delhi: (08.01.2026): Strengthening India’s maritime backbone, the Centre on Wednesday rolled out port infrastructure and digital governance projects worth ₹235 crore 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.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji’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, Indian ports are emerging as engines of growth and global competitiveness,” Sonowal said.

Of the total outlay, ₹129.36 crore has been earmarked for Chennai Port Authority and ₹105.64 crore 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 (₹33.28 crore), construction of a new firefighting pump house at the Oil Dock Area meeting OISD norms (₹43 crore), and modernisation of Chennai Port Hospital (₹8.08 crore).
He also inaugurated the Enterprise Business System (EBS), a SAP-based integrated digital platform developed at a cost of ₹45 crore 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 at an investment of ₹105 crore, strengthening navigational safety after cyclone damage, and laid the foundation stone for a new boundary wall along the Northern Port Access Road at a cost of ₹1.39 crore.

In a nationwide trade-facilitation initiative, Sonowal also launched the e-Port Clearance portal under the One Nation–One Port Process (ONOP), enabling online submission and issuance of port clearance certificates, cutting vessel turnaround time and improving predictability in maritime operations.

Calling the investments transformational, Sonowal said, “Sustained reforms under Sagarmala are positioning India among the world’s leading maritime nations while supporting growth, jobs and national pride.”

Later in the day, the Minister visited Swabodhini School & Vocational Centre for Special Children at Tondiarpet, interacting with students and reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive development. He also flagged off the India International Regatta 2026, encouraging youth participation in water sports.