PM inaugurates projects worth Rs 4000 crore in Kochi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated projects worth Rs 4,000 crore including a long dry dock and International Ship Repair Facility (ISRF) at the Cochin ShipYard.

Addressing the function at Cochin ShipYard, Modi said the reforms initiated during the last 10 years had enhanced ‘Ease of Doing Business’ in the ports, shipping and inland waterways sector. ‘We are working to turn India into a major maritime power in the world. The ports have achieved a double-digit annual growth during this period. Earlier ships used to queue up for a long period and take a lot of time for unloading. Now the situation has changed,” he said.

Modi said the new dry dock is the pride of the nation. “Huge vessels and ships will come here and shipbuilding and ship repair work will also get a boost besides lessening our dependence on foreign units. The ship repair centre will also provide more opportunities to the MSMEs.

He lauded the Kochi Water Metro electric vessels. Similar vessels are being made for Ayodhya, Varanasi, Mathura and Guwahati. Electric hybrid passenger ferries are also being manufactured here.

Modi said the Cochin Shipyard was strengthening the objective of Make in India Make for the World through hydrogen fuel-based transport.

The Prime Minister spoke about the major role to be played by the fishermen community in the blue economy and port development. Under the PM Matsya Sampada yojana, modern infrastructure is being created for fishing and deep sea fishing besides granting subsidies for modern boats.

Due to these initiatives, fish production and export have both increased manifold during the past 10 years.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan thanked the Prime Minister for visiting the state in person for the inauguration of the mega projects. He spoke about the huge contribution of the state in the Make in Kerala Make in India project.