Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, IAS, Secretary to Government of India (GoI), Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), came on a two-day visit to Chennai to review Chennai Port and Kamarajar Port performances and their Comprehensive Master Plan up to 2047, i.e. up to entire Amrit Kaal, leading India to 100 years post-independence.

On 31.10.2022, the first day of his visit, Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, IAS, Secretary to GoI (MoPSW) was welcomed at Chennai Port by Shri. Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairperson, Chennai Port Authority and his team. After a tree-plantation ceremony, Secretary (MoPSW) reviewed the performance of the Port and its comprehensive Master Plan up to 2047. Secretary (MoPSW) praised the efforts of the Chennai Port and highlighted huge growth potential for the Port. During the review meeting, Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, underlined the major digital initiatives of the Government, such as, PM Gati Shakti, National Logistics Portal – Marine (NLP-marine), etc. and sought enthusiastic participation for overall improvement in the logistics sector.

A multi-disciplinary workshop on PM Gati Shakti, new National Logistics Policy, Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), Port e- Governance and Multi-modal Logistics Park was conducted to exchange ideas, promote integrated planning and coordinated execution of connectivity projects to reduce cost and time in EXIM trade.

The workshop had presentations from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Indian Customs, Indian Railways, NHAI, TIDCO and Major Ports. This workshop was attended by the EXIM traders, shipping lines, container freight stations, container train operators, transporters, custom brokers, shipping agents, etc.

In the workshop, Shri. T.K.Ramachandran, IAS, Chairperson, VOC Port Authority, emphasized on the Port’s e-governance, explained the benefits of digital initiatives of the Government - National Logistics Portal – Marine, encouraged trade participation on the beta version and clarified port users doubts.

 

Shri. S.Narashimhan, Chairman, CII, Southern Region Port Committee, shed light on National Logistics Policy 2022 and commended broad vision of the policy. While highlighting the benefits of the new policy, Shri. S. Narasimhan explained how trade can make use of new National Logistics Policy and optimizing their logistics.

Representing the Government of Tamil Nadu, Tmt. Jayashree Muralidharan, IAS, Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO), GoTN, showcased a magnificent example of project implementation under PM Gati Shakti Initiative – Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) at Mappedu. Sriperumbadur, TN – where National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) of NHAI, TIDCO of GoTN, Chennai Port under MoPSW and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) are coordinating seamlessly to make this one of the first of its kind multi-modal logistics park a reality in India.

Pitching the role of Customs in facilitating the EXIM trade, especially EoDB, through various initiatives, such as, Single Window Interface for Trade (SWIFT), Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE), Accredited Economic Operator (AEO) programme, Direct Port Delivery/ Entry (DPD/DPE), Shri. R.Srinivasa Naik, IRS, Commissioner of Customs, Audit

Commissionerate, Customs Dept, Chennai, explained the National Time Release Study – 2022, conducted by Customs, and the time release target for EXIM cargo in India.

Shri. S.P.Somashekar, GM, Regional Officer, NHAI, Chenai, briefly explained the ongoing and upcoming road connectivity projects in the region and updated status of Maduravoyal- Chennai Port elevated corridor project.

Ms. Neenu Ittyerah, IRTS, Principal Chief Operations Manager, Southern Railways(SR), spoke about the initiatives taken by SR in line with PM Gati Shakti initiatives and emphasized the readiness of the railways in promoting and supporting modal shift of cargo from road to rail for overall benefit to the region form reduced logistics costs to decongested city roads while reducing carbon foot print in the transportation.

Dr. Sanjeev Ranjan, IAS, Secretary to GoI (MoPSW), concluded the workshop by the underlining the need for coordinated planning, effective inter-departmental communication and a drive to act. While recognizing the exemplary role of Tamil Nadu in Information Technology on the world platform, Secretary placed his full faith in the region and its manpower which can make PM Gati Shakti initiative and National Logistics Portal – Marine a grand success.

Secretary (MoPSW) plans to review Kamarjar Port performance and its Comprehensive Master Plan up to 2047 during his second day stay in the city. 

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