The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will launch multiple transformative projects of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways at Arambagh, Hooghly in Kolkata tomorrow. These initiatives, collectively valued at more than Rs. 900 crore, signify a significant milestone in the government's commitment towards development across the region.

Prime Minister will inaugurate two projects namely Augmentation of Fire Fighting System with a cost of Rs. 108 crore to comply with the stringent guidelines outlined in OISD-156 for handling hazardous materials like Propane, Butane, POL, and LPG products. This includes upgrading fire-fighting facilities at various key locations such as HOJ-I, II, Barge Jetty-I & II, and OT-II. The installation of a state-of-the-art, fully automated system equipped with cutting-edge gas and flame sensors ensures immediate detection of potential hazards. Moreover, the system's remote-operated firefighting capabilities promise efficient and safe operations in case of emergencies. Secondly, 3rdRMQC will also be inaugurated. The total cost of this project is Rs. 53 crore which will be deployed at Berth No. 11. This crane boasts a lifting capacity of 40 tonnes and an outreach of 40 meters. The addition of this crane will significantly enhance cargo evacuation efficiency, facilitating faster operations at the port.

These initiatives underscore the port's commitment to modernization and safety, ensuring smoother operations and bolstering its position as a vital hub for trade and commerce.

In West Bengal, the Sagarmala Programme has overseen the monitoring of 62 projects amounting to Rs. 16,300 crore. Among these, 19 projects with an approximate value of Rs. 1,100 crore have been successfully completed, while 43 projects worth around Rs. 15,000 crore are currently in various stages of implementation and development. Additionally, 11 projects, valued at about Rs. 650 crore and partially funded by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, have been initiated, with 6 projects worth roughly Rs. 400 crore already completed and 5 projects worth approximately Rs. 250 crore still undergoing implementation. Notably, one of the funded projects, the "Coastal Districts Skill Development Program - Phase 2 - West Bengal," sanctioned for Rs. 6.32 crore, with Rs. 2.10 crore released in December 2019, is yet to commence implementation by the State Government.

Furthermore, significant achievements have been made, such as the improvement of road connectivity to facilitate port and trade users, resulting in traffic decongestion, reduced accidents, faster port connectivity, and improved drainage systems. The upgradation of tracks at the EJC yard of Kolkata Port, worth Rs. 47 crore, has led to the elimination of derailment occurrences, reduced detention time of handling rakes, and smoother traffic movement in the EJC yard & GCD yard area. Looking ahead, upcoming projects include the establishment of the Centre for Inland and Coastal Maritime Technology (CICMT) at IIT Kharagpur, aimed at providing research and testing facilities to enhance maritime operations, and anti-erosion work on the left bank of the river Hooghly/Bhagirathi Block & P.S. Kalyani in Nadia district, with a focus on preventing bank erosion and safeguarding the livelihoods of local villagers. Both projects are being funded by Sagarmala and signify the ongoing commitment to infrastructure development and environmental conservation in the region.

Prime Minister will also lay foundation stone of the reconstruction of Berth No. 8 and mechanization of Berth No. 7 & 8 at NSD of KDS, through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model on a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) basis with a total cost of Rs. 805 Crore. The project aims to enhance the performance of the terminal and facilitate faster cargo evacuation by mechanizing the existing terminal. It includes a capacity addition of 2 million tonnes to the port's existing capacity, along with the construction of a new berth spanning 238 meters in length. Additionally, the deployment of three Rail Mounted Quay Cranes (RMQCs) with an outreach of 40 meters, lift height of 30 meters, and a safe working load of 50 tonnes, along with 12 Rubber-Tired Gantry Cranes (RTGs) and 4 Reach Stackers, will significantly improve operational efficiency.

The event will be graced by distinguished dignitaries, including Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose, Governor of West Bengal; Smt. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister, West Bengal; Shri, Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister for Housing & Urban Affairs and Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas; Shri Shantanu Thakur, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

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