“PM Gati Shakti scheme will strengthen the country’s economy in a short time”

New Delhi, 14 November (H.S): union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and AYUSH Sarbananda Sonowal visited Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) in Mumbai today. During his day-long visit at the Port, Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the ?Bhumipoojan ceremony? of the JNPT Concrete Road Facility Project at Karal junction and visited JNPT?s state-of-the-art Centralized Parking Plaza to review its tech-enabled operations at the CPP command centre. Over there, the Minister also interacted with container truck drivers, who are an integral part of the maritime supply chain. Thereafter, Shri Sonowal inaugurated a medical oxygen plant at JNP Hospital. The Minister also reviewed a presentation on terminal operations at the GTI House and boarded a vessel, followed by his visit to JNPT?s multi-product SEZ and Hind Terminal CFS. Also, the union Minister explored ?Smart Port Initiatives? undertaken by BMCTPL and reviewed the progress of its phase two expansion.

While addressing a press conference, union Minister Shri Sonowal stated, “JNPT is going to become a mega port in the near future. That is the vision plan we have in mind. For this, whatever top-class facilities are needed to be incorporated to provide the best-possible support to the users of the port will be done effectively.”

He further said, JNPT has been successful in earning a name for itself as the biggest container port in the country, which is at par with the global standards. JNPT is serving the country with commitment, he added. Referring to the state-of-the-art truck terminus of the port, the Minister said, JNPT has taken a praise-worthy step towards Ease of Doing Business. The Minister also informed that JNPT has utilized modern technology to provide facilities for reducing turn-around time of loading and unloading to 26 hours.

The Minister remarked that JNPT will move further ahead in the coming days and play a big role in strengthening the country’s economy and exporting our farmers’ products to foreign countries. JNPT officials are working with the spirit of Team India, which has helped them to be successful”, he said.

The Port Trust has taken a number of initiatives by which exporters and importers are going to be benefitted, he added.