Shri Nitin Gadkari, honourable minister applauds the work
JNPT is all set to scale new heights of performance
Shri Nitin Gadkari, Honourable Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport, Highways, Water resources, River development & Ganga rejuvenation, emphasised the need to harness India’s vast coastal line for transport and bring down the heavy reliance on road transport which results in environmental pollution.
Shri Gadkari was addressing a distinguished gathering of JNPT stakeholder in Mumbai on Thursday evening as part of 29 foundation day celebration of JNPT. “In the national interest, I feel that water transport, railways and road transport should be developed in this order. India is blessed with 7500 kms of coastal line and NDA government is looking at developing water transport in a major way. This will reduce heavy dependence on road transport which is causing pollution”, Shri Gadkari said. Besides, water transport system will bring down the costs of transport in a major way, Shri Gadkari said.
Applauding the excellent performance of JNPT over the last few years, Shri Gadkari said that he is very impressed with the way JNPT management has taken up the challenge and is developing JNPT in to one of the major ports in the world. He also appreciated the role of all stakeholders in extending the support to JNPT and make it as the largest container port in the country.
“There is a need to improve the efficiency standards in logistics industry and I am very proud that JNPT has been consistently recording new records by improvement in its performance and raising the efficiency levels”, Shri Gadkari added. The honourable minister expressed his happiness that local population will be employed in great numbers in JNPT-SEZ and the entire Konkan region will benefit due to various activities of JNPT.
Shri Neeraj Bansal, Chairman, JNPT showcased the steps taken by JNPT to shore up the performance and achieve the highest volume of 4.83 million TEUs in March 2018 and also record operating profit of Rs 1140 crore which is the highest among Indian major ports.
Shri Bansal also shared the progress on the various on-going projects and how JNPT is poised to emerge as one of the 15 top ports in the world in the coming years. The capacity of the port will go up to 10 million TEUs by 2022, Shri Bansal said.
JNPT chairman also shared details of progress of 4 dry ports that are coming up in Maharashtra and how hinterland of the state will benefit with the establishment of dry ports. The total investment in on-going projects is placed at Rs 13000 crore and projects are being implemented according to schedule. Measures like Direct Port Delivery (DPD) and other ‘ease of doing business’ measures have already resulted in sizable savings in both time and cost to the trade, Shri Bansal said.
Shri Bansal disclosed that the response to JNPT-SEZ is highly encouraging and 2 tenders for new land allotment of 70 acres have been posted in June 2018. JNPT is planning to announce fresh tender in September for 250 acres of land which will be leased to a single bidder on a co-developer basis.
Six companies which have successfully bid for land to set up manufacturing units at JNPT-SEZ were feted with land allocation awards by Shri Gadkari.
A panel discussion on ‘JNPT India’s no. 1 Container Port to becoming a Global Port’ was organised as part of celebrations and eminent panellists led byShri Dinesh Lal – Shipping sector veteran,ShriN.N.Kumar, Ex Chairman JNPT,Mr. Vivek Johri – Chief Commissioner customs, Mr. RavinderJohal – CEO DP World – NhavaSheva and Mr. Vinod Bhatt – Logistics head HP Indiatook part in an interesting discussion as delegates heard them in rapt attention.
Annual performance awards of JNPT in different categories were handed over to the winners at the function. Various stakeholders appreciated the progress of JNPT and how over the years it has transformed into a leading port in the country. A special edition of ‘EXIM India’ dedicated to JNPT’s 29 years was released by the Honourable Minister during the function.
