Mumbai, January 22 (IANS). Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday launched several projects worth about Rs 2,000 crore for capacity expansion at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JANEP) in Mumbai. The Union Minister also launched one solar powered boat, two indigenously developed 70T tugs and three fire tenders, boosting the safety and efficiency of the port.
Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JANEP Authority) is one of the largest ports in the world and India to cross 10+ million TEUS capacity in January 2025 and is set to achieve 10 million TEUS throughput by 2027. In 2024, the port handled the highest ever container volume of 7.05 million TEUs, performing at over 90 per cent capacity. Last year its annual growth was 11 percent. With the commissioning of Phase II of Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal (BMCT) in January 2025, 2.4 million TEUS will be added to the total capacity of JNEEP Authority. The upgrade of the Nhavasheva Freeport Terminal (NSFT) in 2025 is also expected to increase the port’s capacity. With the current rate of growth projections, container handling capacity has increased to 10.4 million TEUS.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the JNEEP Authority is poised to play an important role as a major gateway for India’s global trade. As India’s trade volume is increasing, the capacity of our ports is also increasing. We believe that with the rise of JNPA to one of the top ports in the world to handle 10 million TEU, India has joined the world’s leading countries in this sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
Major MoUs were signed in the presence of Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal for the development of Wadhawan Port Project. An MoU between Vapor Project Limited and Reliance Industries Limited allots Liquid Jetty along with 50 acres of land at Wadhawan Port under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. An investment of Rs 645 crore is estimated on this and it is likely to start by 2030. Another MoU signed between VAP Project Limited and Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Kokan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli (DBSKKVD) for development and implementation of Integrated Agriculture and Horticulture Scheme for shortlisted villages in and around Wadhawan, Dahanu and Palghar. Went. In an important step towards promoting cooperation in the infrastructure sector, a strong working partnership has been established between WAP Project Limited and HUDCO. The objective of this partnership is to enhance coordination, collaboration and resource sharing while adhering to all applicable laws, rules and regulations governing the parties. As part of this agreement, M/s HUDCO has committed to provide funding up to Rs 25,000 crore for the development of new ports and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
As part of the Rs 2000 crore capacity addition projects at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JANEP Authority), Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday launched the development of a state-of-the-art agro-processing facility. This pioneering initiative, with an investment of Rs 284 crore, is an important step in strengthening India’s agribusiness infrastructure.
Built to handle approximately 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, the facility will provide comprehensive services including processing, sorting, packing and laboratory facilities to ensure compliance with food safety and trade regulations. This facility has been strategically developed to serve agricultural producers and traders not only from Maharashtra but also from states like Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, promoting seamless export-import and domestic trade of agricultural commodities. Another MoU was signed to pave the way for setting up a warehouse facility in the port area under the initiative of JANEP Authority to monetize vacant land parcels along with capacity development. An investment of Rs 300 crore is being earmarked for the development of these ambient and temperature controlled storage and CFS facilities. Once fully operational, it will generate 120,000 TEUS annually.
Apart from this, MoUs were signed to develop warehousing facilities, port facilities as well as business facilities. Sonowal also performed the bhoomi pujan for the development of a CBSE school building within the port complex for community development through education. JANEP Authority Special Economic Zone, India’s first port-based operational multi-product SEZ is making significant progress in industrial development. Spread over a vast land of 277.38 hectares, JANEP Authority SEZ is strategically located with seamless connectivity through water, road, rail and air. Out of 163 hectares of leasable land, 124 hectares of land has already been allotted to 54 units, of which 10 units and one Free Trade Warehousing Zone (FTWZ) are already operational. These operating units are engaged in various sectors like warehousing, food processing, manufacturing and trading.
As a special planning authority (SPA) for power and power distribution licensee, JANEP authority ensures single-window clearance streamlining the approval process for SEZ investors. The transparent e-tender cum e-auction process for 60 year lease of SEZ land has been important in attracting investment. Plot holders of JANEP Authority SEZ include leading industry groups like Welspun One, DP World and Fine Organics. The existing investment by operational plots is Rs 623 crore and the proposed investment by plot-holders is Rs 1700 crore, which is a significant step in contributing to the socio-economic development of the area. Exim trade at JNEEP SEZ was 8051 TEUs and Rs 13,939 crore in FY 2023-24 and it has increased to 13906 TEUs and Rs 7314 crore in FY 2024-25 by December 2024, adding up to the global trade.
–IANS
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