Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal Launches Multiple Projects

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, launched multiple projects and witnessed the signing of several Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) yesterday. These include a state-of-the-art agro-processing facility worth 284 crore rupees, which will be built on 27 acres of land within the port complex, and a CBSE school to ensure community-led development. The minister also launched a solar-powered boat, two indigenously developed tugs, and three fire tenders.

Mr. Sonowal also presided over the signing of major MoUs for the development of JNPA and the Vadhavan Port Project. MoUs were signed to develop warehousing facilities at the Port Facilitation Centre along with a Business Facilitation Centre under JNPA’s initiative to monetise vacant land parcels along with capacity development. 

With regard to Vadhavan, a MoU was signed with Reliance for the development of a liquid jetty. Another MoU with Dr. Balasaheb Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, was signed for the development



and implementation of an integrated agricultural and horticultural plan for shortlisted villages in Dahanu and Palghar in and around Vadhavan.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sonowal said JNPA’s elevation as one of the few ports of the world to handle 10 million TEUs is a testament to the effort being put in by the Narendra Modi government since 2014 towards enabling India’s marine sector to become one of the top marine countries of the world. He added that JNPA, with its growing infrastructure, including capacity creation to handle larger vessels, is poised to play a crucial role as a key gateway for India’s global trade. 

Talking about capacity creation and other MoUs, Mr. Sonowal said investment or capacity expansion is not just about meeting today’s needs but preparing for the demands of tomorrow. He added that these initiatives are focused on unlocking value and monetising potential by optimising the use of existing assets and transforming idle resources into growth drivers.