Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for three vital port development projects in Tamil Nadu, addressing critical needs from coastal defense to operational safety. These initiatives, announced from Bhavnagar, Gujarat, target both Chennai and Kamarajar Ports.
A significant portion of this investment, approximately ₹33 crore, is allocated for bolstering the coastal protection at Chennai Port. The existing revetment, a vital barrier protecting the coastal berth, will undergo extensive repairs and strengthening along an 850-meter stretch.
Officials from the Chennai Port Authority explained that this revetment, situated along the port’s eastern flank and directly exposed to the Bay of Bengal, is crucial for safeguarding the harbor against cyclones and severe weather. While designed with tetrapods and concrete to withstand powerful waves, it has experienced ongoing damage from storm surges due to its open-sea exposure.
Following a series of cyclones in recent years, local authorities prioritized enhancing the harbor’s resilience. An IIT-Madras study recommended essential retrofitting of the 850-meter revetment, incorporating concrete capping, a crest wall, and tetrapod armor. This upgrade is expected to ensure the long-term stability of the port’s infrastructure, prevent erosion, and mitigate damage from future storm surges, as confirmed by an official.
With the foundation stone now laid, work is set to commence in the coming weeks and is projected for completion within a year. This will significantly reduce the risk of operational disruptions and boost overall port safety.
For Kamarajar Port, two other crucial projects were inaugurated. These include a substantial upgrade to firefighting facilities and the construction of a new concrete road from the National Coastline Transit Processing System (NCTPS) path to the KPL coal stack yard, alongside the reconstruction of two existing bridges.
While Kamarajar Port already possesses firefighting capabilities, authorities have pinpointed eight additional areas with potential fire hazards that currently lack these provisions. These include the car parking yard and container parking yard. The expansion will cover these eight critical locations, with an estimated cost of ₹25 crore, and is also slated for completion within a year.
The concrete road development, linking the NCTPS road to the KPL coal stack yard, and the bridge reconstruction are pivotal for improving connectivity at Kamarajar Port. This will not only enhance safety for heavy coal-transporting vehicles but also streamline coal handling operations. This particular project is budgeted at ₹58 crore and is expected to be finished by 2027.
Sunil Paliwal, Chairman of Chennai Port Authority (ChPA) and CMD of Kamarajar Port Ltd, emphasized the ports’ commitment to operational efficiency and safety. He stated, “We are prioritizing operational effectiveness and safety, which is why we decided to enhance firefighting capabilities at Kamarajar Port. Regarding the strengthening of Chennai Port’s coastal revetment, given the Bay of Bengal’s susceptibility to cyclones, this work is vital to prepare us for any eventuality and protect the harbor.”