,
Kolkata, Jan 12 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today dedicated several infrastructure projects to the nation, while laying foundation stone for those projects in a function in the city to celebrate the 150th year of the historic Kolkata Port Trust. Prime Minister also renamed the port after Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated the upgraded Ship Repair Facility of Cochin Kolkata Ship Repair Unit at Netaji Subhas Dry Dock and the Full Rake Handling Facility while dedicating the upgraded Railway Infrastructure of Kolkata Dock System of KoPT for smooth cargo movement and improving turnaround time.
He also laid the foundation stone for hostel and skill development centre for tribal girls. In the same function he released a commemorative stamp on the 150 years of Kolkata Port Trust.
Mr Modi handed over Rs 501crores Rs to LIC for 23,000 pensioners of Kolkata Port Trust on this occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister
said, " This port represents industrial, spiritual and self sufficiency aspirations of India. Today, when the port is celebrating its 150th anniversary, it is our responsibility to make it a powerful symbol of New India. "
" It is a significant day for Bengal and those connected with the Kolkata Port Trust. It is a historic port that saw India gain freedom and has been a witness to India’s progress, the
Prime Minister added.
"Our government believes that India's ports are the opening gates to India's prosperity. For this, the Centre has started the Sagarmala initiative to reduce the cost of connectivity," Mr Modi said
adding that about 575 projects worth over Rs 6 lakh crore have been earmarked.
Over 200 projects worth Rs 3 lakh crore are already under development and about 125 projects have already been completed, he said.
Country's coasts are gateways to development. Our government has started the Sagarmala programme to improve connectivity, he said
and added that development of waterways has improved Kolkata Port Trust's connectivity with industrial centres in east India and has made trade easier for our neighbouring
countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar.
He stated that, this year, endeavour will be made to construct multimodal terminal and navigational lock at Farakka, and by this process, the large ships will be able to go by Ganges.
" We’re working towards increasing the number of cruises from 150 to 1000. This growth will also help West Bengal. Every possible initiative is being taken for the development of West Bengal by the central Government. The central government is also promoting cruise-oriented tourism, " Mr
Modi said.
He also said his government was taking every possible initiative for development of West Bengal.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also felicitated the two oldest pensioners, Nagina
Bhagat and Naresh Chandra Chakraborty of the Kolkata Port Trust.
Mr Jagdeep Dhankhar, Governor of
West Bengal, Mr Mansukh Mandavia, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge),
Ministry of Shipping and Mr Vinit Kumar, Chairman, Kolkata Post Trust were also present on the occasion.
UNI PC-BM SJC